Chudá žena 1917

Josef Capek made this painting, Chudá žena, with oil on canvas, and it's so interesting to see how he's built up the image using simple shapes. There's a real sense of process here; it's not about hiding the hand of the artist, but embracing it. I find myself drawn to the texture of the paint, particularly in the background, with the way he's let the brushstrokes be visible, almost like he's sculpting with the paint. It's mostly dark, somber tones, which only makes the pale skin of the figure more striking. Notice the way he's rendered her hands, so simplified, yet so expressive. They seem almost like they're floating there, disembodied from the figure. Capek, like Picasso, was heavily influenced by African art. But, unlike Picasso, who's work changed beyond recognition, he seems to have taken the influence and remained true to his roots. Ultimately, this painting leaves you with questions, rather than answers, which is, of course, what all the best art does.