Rehearsal 1952

Beauford Delaney made this painting, "Rehearsal," with oil on board, and right away, the colours grab you. They're not shy; they're having a conversation. The way Delaney lays down the paint, it’s like he’s building the scene as he goes. He’s using colour to create depth and emotion. Look at the figures in the foreground, how their forms are defined by these bold, almost electric hues. There is a blue face, and it’s not just blue, it's a statement. The brushstrokes are so direct, so confident, you can almost feel his hand moving across the surface. Delaney reminds me of Marsden Hartley, both so committed to expression through colour. Like with Hartley, it’s not just about what you see, but about what you feel. And in "Rehearsal," it's like Delaney is inviting us to feel the music, the community, the sheer vibrancy of life. It's a painting that sings.