Czóbel Béla Still Life 1959. 1959

Béla Czóbel made this still life in 1959, layering pastel and watercolour on paper. Look how the initial sketch is still visible beneath the washes of colour; it really feels like he’s inviting us into his process. I love the way that charcoal line defines the objects, and how the watery paint fills those outlines. The colours are muted, earthy, with pops of red that give it life. Notice the circular marks on the fruit to the right – they’re not trying to trick you into thinking they are real; it's more about the act of seeing and representing. Czóbel’s expressionistic style reminds me a bit of Emil Nolde, especially his use of colour. Both artists share a way of allowing the material qualities of the paint to become part of the image. It’s like they’re saying, “This is paint, this is a mark, and this is how I see the world."