Nature Morte c. 1912

This little painting, *Nature Morte*, was composed by Louis Marcoussis who was knocking around Paris in the early 20th century. I can imagine him delicately constructing this still life in his studio with layers of translucent colour. You can see the artist has carefully placed everyday objects like a glass and a newspaper, arranging them in such a way that creates a dialogue between representation and abstraction. I'm sympathizing with Marcoussis right now. I reckon he's probably thinking about how forms intersect and how the translucency of paint can create depth. The overlaid planes of ochre and teal push and pull, and there's this real sensitivity to texture. It is a bit like a collage, something Braque and Picasso were experimenting with in that period. And that newspaper clipping slapped right on the front – it almost feels like he's having a conversation with them! It reminds us that art is never made in a vacuum and artists respond and borrow ideas across the ages. We can appreciate it as a moment of creative exchange, inviting us to embrace the multiple possibilities of painting.