Port of Saint-Tropez, Evening Effect 1909

Francis Picabia made this oil on canvas painting called “Port of Saint-Tropez, Evening Effect” sometime around 1909. What grabs me right away is the way Picabia uses color, thick strokes laid on with real intention. He's not trying to trick you into seeing reality, he's reminding you that painting is a process. Look closely and you will see how the buildings are rendered with these juicy, warm yellows and oranges, standing out against the cool blues and purples of the water and the walkway. See the way the light hits those buildings? It's like he's sculpting with color. The paint itself has a texture, a physicality. You can almost feel the brushstrokes, the energy of his hand moving across the canvas. There's a directness, an honesty to it. This reminds me of Van Gogh, who wasn't afraid to let the paint speak for itself. Both artists share that idea that art is an ongoing conversation, a back-and-forth between the artist and the materials. It’s not about answers, but about the questions.