Rocks at Antheor 1906

Theo van Rysselberghe made this painting, Rocks at Antheor, by layering tiny strokes of paint to build up this striking coastal scene. The process feels almost mathematical, each dab a calculated step in capturing light and form. The texture is key here. Up close, you can see how these individual strokes create a mosaic-like surface. The colours feel vibrant and unreal, oranges and purples sit side-by-side, making the whole image sing. Look at the way he renders the rocks on the left. They’re not just orange, but a complex mix of purples and reds, giving them a weight and depth that feels almost sculptural. This pointillist approach reminds me a bit of Seurat, but with a warmer, more playful sensibility. It's like he's not just painting what he sees, but how he feels, turning the landscape into a vibrant expression of his inner world. It's a reminder that art is as much about invention as it is about observation.