Figures Et Ancre Marine 1930

Louis Marcoussis made this painting, Figures Et Ancre Marine, with oil on canvas, at some point in his career. It’s this fascinating deconstruction of form and color. The palette, those muted pinks, blues, and grays, feels almost like a faded memory, or a dream, as does the way the objects and figures have been broken down into abstract shapes. The anchor, that recognizable symbol, gets fragmented, almost lost within the composition. The textures, though subtle, draw you in. Look at the way Marcoussis layers the paint, creating depth and dimension. The black lines act as a skeleton, holding the forms together, but also teasing them apart, making them float. The use of line and tone is interesting. Notice how he creates shadows and highlights with such restraint, it really emphasizes the geometry of the piece. It reminds me a little of Braque, with its cubist leanings. Both artists were clearly involved in the ongoing conversation about the nature of seeing, and how art can embrace multiple perspectives.