Blue Diaphan 1965

Ernst Wilhelm Nay made *Blue Diaphan* with paint, and with a confidence that lets the colours and shapes do their thing without too much fuss. There’s a real generosity in how Nay puts the paint down, not overworked, but considered. The surface is smooth, but you can still see the traces of his brushstrokes if you get up close. See how that green circle sits right next to the black form? It’s so simple, but it sings. The whole painting feels like a bunch of shapes having a conversation, each one holding its own, but also listening to the others. It puts me in mind of Joan Miró, but with a German accent! Ultimately, it's a reminder that painting is about so much more than just what you see; it's about feeling, thinking, and letting yourself get lost in the colours and shapes.