Woman by the sea 1915

Jacek Malczewski painted ‘Woman by the Sea’ with oil on canvas. I wonder what it was like for Malczewski to stand before the canvas, brush in hand, mixing those muted greens and yellows, trying to capture the light on the water and the woman's thoughtful expression. What was he thinking? Was he thinking about the Old Masters, or about his contemporaries? I'm drawn to the woman's gaze, which seems to be directed inward rather than outward. The way Malczewski layered the paint, especially in the background, creates this dreamy, almost surreal atmosphere. It feels like he's inviting us into a world that's both familiar and strange. It reminds me a bit of some of the Symbolist painters, but with its own unique twist. Painting is a constant dialogue, isn't it?