The Artist’s Summer Villa in Haikko from the Sea 1905

Albert Edelfelt painted "The Artist's Summer Villa in Haikko from the Sea" with what looks like strokes of pure, unadulterated joy. It's like he's trying to capture a feeling more than a place. Look at the way the light hits the lawn, that soft, green carpet. You can almost feel the sun on your skin. The white strokes in the foreground make me think of a memory trying to come into focus, or maybe just the shimmering surface of water as you approach the shore. The paint isn't trying to hide anything; it's loose and free. It's that kind of painting that makes you want to grab a brush and dive in, even if you have no idea what you're doing. Kind of reminds me of that Winslow Homer quote, about choosing the subject on the canvas based on what stands up best. There’s a conversation between artists across time, a visual echo that keeps the whole thing alive. Isn't art about keeping the conversation open?