Spišský hrad 1923

Ľudovít Čordák made this landscape of Spiš Castle with oil on canvas, date unknown. I love the way the green of the field sort of hums, it's not just one note, but lots of different greens and yellows, vibrating together. The paint itself isn't trying to trick you into thinking it's real grass, there's a looseness to the brushstrokes that keeps it painterly. It’s like Čordák is letting us in on the secret of how he makes the painting. Look at the way the light hits the clouds behind the castle. You can almost feel the soft wind, or smell the grass. It's like Čordák is chatting to Monet, who was obsessed with light and atmosphere, too. But where Monet is all about capturing a fleeting moment, Čordák's painting feels more about the enduring presence of this place. It’s like he’s saying, “Hey, this is my world, and I’m inviting you in.”