The Cypresses at Cassis 1907

Andre Derain painted these Cypresses at Cassis with an approach that's all about bold strokes and even bolder color choices, giving us a landscape that feels more like a feeling than a place. Check out how Derain uses paint, it’s thick and juicy, you can almost feel the bristles of the brush as he laid down each stroke. The colors, they’re not quite what you’d expect – those reds and oranges clashing against the deep blues and greens, it’s like he’s turning up the volume on the natural world. Look at the way he defines the edges, that thick black line, so assertive and confident. It doesn’t just outline shapes; it gives them weight, presence. I’m reminded a bit of Van Gogh, particularly his landscapes from the South of France. Both artists aren't just painting what they see, but they’re turning nature into pure emotion. Art is about embracing the mess, the contradictions, and the endless possibilities that come with them.