Springtime at the Sea 1911

Matej Sternen made this painting, Springtime at the Sea, sometime in his life. The way he laid down the paint is all about capturing a moment, a feeling, with these short, choppy strokes. It’s like he’s not just painting what he sees, but how he experiences the scene. Look at how he builds up the textures, especially in the foreground. The buttery yellows and whites are so thick you can almost feel the warmth of the sun on the landscape. There’s this real sense of immediacy. And then, your eye moves up towards the buildings and the sea, where the colors are softer, almost dreamy. I’m really drawn to the contrast between the solid, grounded feeling of the earth and the fluid, atmospheric sky. It reminds me a little of Cézanne, who was also into breaking down what he saw into these essential, almost abstract forms. Sternen’s not just showing us a place; he’s inviting us to get lost in the pleasure of looking, feeling, and maybe even remembering our own springtimes.