Free Hand Decorated Wall (Detail) c. 1940

Michael Lauretano made this freehand decorated wall detail, probably on paper. The marks are so lively, it's a kind of controlled chaos, a dance of line and color. There's a real sense of play in the way the blue and red pigments are laid down, sometimes thick, sometimes thin, always direct. The background colour peeks through, it acts as a unifying ground, creating a sense of depth and airiness. Look at the way the vertical lines pull down from the central flower, they're loose, almost like they're breathing. Lauretano's work reminds me a little of Raoul Dufy, that joyous approach to pattern and decoration. But Lauretano has this raw, untamed quality, a willingness to let the hand lead the way. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art is an invitation, not an instruction.