Bacchus and Ariadne 1907

Maurice Denis painted this Bacchus and Ariadne in oil on canvas. It's all about the brushstrokes, which sit on the surface, building the image in a mosaic-like fashion. Check out how the colors are laid down. Up close you can really see how the texture adds to the overall shimmer. Denis uses the materiality of paint, its thickness and opacity, to create a world that's both solid and dreamlike. Take a look at the figures in the foreground, see how the light catches on their skin. The red and white stripes of the towel stand out, almost glowing. Denis’s interest in flat patterns reminds me of Gauguin, but with a softer, more classical touch. I'd say this piece invites us to embrace art as a space where ambiguity and multiple interpretations can flourish, rather than seeking fixed meanings.