Das graue Haus 1944

Varlin made this painting, "Das graue Haus," in tones of grey. Look at how the thick brushstrokes build up the forms of the buildings, almost like they're rising out of the fog. I imagine Varlin, standing on a street corner, squinting at the light as he works on the canvas. The city emerges through the paint, not precise but felt. The colours are muted, almost monochromatic, giving the scene a melancholic air. It reminds me of Corot, who also understood how to make grey sing. See the figures? They are tiny, dwarfed by the architecture. Each stroke seems loaded with intention. Paintings like this remind us that seeing is a process, not just a passive act. Varlin invites us to see the world through his eyes, one brushstroke at a time. And isn't that the best thing painting can do?