Amphitrite 1936

Raoul Dufy conjured Amphitrite out of oil paint, embracing the fluid process of artmaking. Dufy wasn't trying to capture a scene perfectly, but rather how it feels to be in one. Looking closely, the paint is applied in broad strokes, thin in some areas and thicker in others, almost like watercolor. The colors, light blues, reds and oranges, create a dreamy, watery space, while the textures, seen most evidently on the central figure's rock, imply a sense of movement and life. Notice the small, repetitive triangles that represent the sea, each dab of paint a tiny wave contributing to the overall sense of rhythmic energy. It's as though you can feel the ebb and flow of the tide. The free and spontaneous approach is reminiscent of Matisse, but with its own unique, playful spirit. With Dufy, art feels less like a statement and more like a joyful conversation, full of endless possibilities.