Water-Carrier at Krzemieniec 1936

Sasza Blonder made this painting of Water-Carrier at Krzemieniec with oil paint and probably a brush or two, though I can't be sure, because the application is so even, and unassuming. It's like the paint just falls into place. The color palette is warm, almost autumnal, even though the scene seems to be set in summer. The brushstrokes are visible, but they don't call attention to themselves. It's like Blonder is saying, "I'm here, but I'm not here," allowing the scene to unfold without too much interference. I notice that even the lines of perspective of the road seem to rise rather than fall. This is a painting that embraces the ambiguity of seeing and experiencing the world. It reminds me of some of Vuillard's paintings of Paris – domestic, intimate, and just a little bit off-kilter.