L'estacade d'Ostende 1905

Constant Permeke made this painting of the pier at Ostend with brushes loaded full of oil paint. Just look at those assertive strokes of greys, greens, and creams, each one capturing the light on the water's surface and the weathered texture of the wood. I can almost feel the wind and the sea spray as Permeke stood there, wrestling with the elements and his canvas. What was he thinking as he laid down each stroke? Was he trying to capture the raw energy of the sea, or was he simply trying to record what was in front of him? I love how the paint is applied so thickly that it almost becomes a sculptural relief. You can practically reach out and touch the rough texture of the pier, or feel the movement of the waves as they crash against the pilings. It reminds me a bit of Courbet, but with a more personal and emotional intensity. Painting is like that: a conversation across time between artists. The way we leave our marks, our gestures, tells us who we are in that moment, and leaves something for others to respond to.