Orvieto Street 

John Michael Carter's 'Orvieto Street' invites us into an Italian scene through the language of oil paint. The painting’s composition is immediately striking: a narrow street, framed by tall buildings, receding into a vanishing point. This creates a forced perspective, drawing our eyes towards a distant light. Carter’s brushwork is loose and expressive, with visible strokes that add texture and depth. The palette is dominated by muted tones – soft yellows, grays, and blues – which evoke a sense of warmth. Note the way the archway acts as a framing device, focusing our attention on the figure walking towards us. The artist balances the geometry of the architecture with the organic form of the individual, animating the urban space. The painting reflects an ongoing dialogue between realism and impressionism. Carter captures a fleeting moment, the light, the shadow, and the figure in motion. This artwork isn't just a depiction of a place; it’s an exploration of visual perception and how we construct meaning through the act of seeing.