Three Lamps 1911

Juan Gris made "Three Lamps" from an unknown date with watercolor, it's all about how he builds up forms from simple washes of tone. Look at the way he's knocked the whole image together with these quick marks and lines. I love how the watercolor sits on the surface, it's delicate but also so graphic. The blue lamp on the right is my favourite. It's this blocky, almost architectural form that's rendered with the most subtle of washes. I find it so evocative, like a memory or a dream. Gris captures a sense of light and shadow with incredible economy. Each brushstroke feels deliberate, yet the overall effect is one of spontaneity. There's something very Cezanne-like about the construction of space here, the way the planes tilt and shift, creating a sense of depth that's both convincing and slightly off-kilter. This reminds us that painting is a conversation across time, and that each artist builds upon the ideas of those who came before, while also pushing the boundaries of what's possible.