Bohemian Girl - 'Arline Avows Her Love for Thaddeus' 1910

Byam Shaw, sometime before 1919, made this narrative painting with oils. It's all about a kind of high drama, and the colors lean towards the theatrical, think dark reds and yellows set against the high key background of the room. It's interesting how Shaw uses the material of paint to create this world. Look closely at the floor, you can see these long brushstrokes, almost like reflections of the people, which lead your eye to the focal point. This kind of mark-making gives a sense of movement and energy to the piece. Even though the paint is layered smoothly, you can still sense the hand of the artist in the way the brushstrokes create shapes. They're not just depicting forms, they're building them. The man at the centre wears a golden coat, its texture rendered with care and precision. It’s like the light is hitting just right. It feels really special and, dare I say, a little bit camp. Reminds me a little of Gustave Moreau’s decadent symbolist paintings, and their love of excess. It's all a conversation, this art thing, right?