Nuit sur la Lagune 1955

Charles Lapicque made 'Nuit sur la Lagune' with thick strokes of oil paint, imagining a night on the lagoon. It looks like a scene from a dream – or maybe a half-remembered carnival. I can imagine Lapicque standing before the canvas, layering those candy-colored hues, trying to capture the feeling of a place rather than its literal appearance. It's as if the memory of the lagoon is filtered through his mind, coming out as these bold, simplified shapes and forms. The umbrellas, tents, and lights create a sense of depth and movement. I love how Lapicque reduces everything to its essential elements, almost like a child's drawing, but with the sophistication of someone who really knows their stuff. Artists are always in conversation with each other, across generations, building on what came before, remixing it, and making it their own. Painting is just that, an ongoing process of trying things out, learning from mistakes, and discovering new possibilities.