Panorama of Cassis 1904

Maurice Denis made this painting, Panorama of Cassis, using oil on board. The painting is like looking through a window, isn't it? The dark colors of the trees at the side almost frame the landscape. You can see how he’s built up the image with these short, dab-like strokes. It's kind of like he's weaving the scene together. The colors are earthy and muted, and you can see the texture of the paint. Denis hasn’t tried to hide the way he’s made the painting. I love the little dashes of blue in the river, they look so fresh! The winding road across the landscape makes me think of how we piece together the world, bit by bit. I think he might have been looking at someone like Pierre Bonnard, with the way he’s capturing a feeling more than a place. It reminds me that art isn't about answers, it's about the conversation.