A Date 1926

Victor Palmov made this painting, titled ‘A Date’, with oil on canvas, but it feels like it was mixed with something else, maybe wax or glue, to give it that chalky, matte surface. Look how the figures are built up from these cool blues and whites. The paint isn’t trying to trick you into thinking it's something else; it sits right there on the surface, a testament to the act of applying it. The edges are loose, almost like Palmov was sketching with the brush. I’m drawn to the way the blue seeps into everything, creating this dreamy, unified atmosphere. See how the man’s tunic blends right into the background, and the woman's dress is almost the same color as the sky? It reminds me of Chagall, but with a rawer, more grounded feel. The more you look, the less sure you are of what’s figure and what’s ground. It's like a memory, fading at the edges, but still holding onto its emotional core.