Red Interior. Still Life on a Blue Table 1947

This is Henri Matisse’s "Red Interior. Still Life on a Blue Table", a painting that vibrates with color and energy. You can just tell Matisse enjoyed playing with the push and pull of those reds and blues, turning a simple interior into a lively, almost dizzying space. What strikes me is the confidence of the brushwork. The paint isn't overly thick, but there's a boldness to each stroke, especially in the zig-zag patterns on the wall and floor. Look closely at those oranges on the table: each one is defined with a simple dark stroke that really makes them pop. It’s as if Matisse is saying, “Here’s an orange, pure and simple.” Matisse reminds me a little of Philip Guston, in their shared commitment to reducing forms down to their essence. Both artists show us how much feeling can be packed into just a few well-placed marks. Art, after all, is about seeing and feeling in new ways, not just copying what's already there.