Composition 1919

This "Composition" by Louis Marcoussis is a puzzle—a construction in muted greens, blues, and earthy tones. I can imagine him, brush in hand, stepping back, squinting, then diving back in. It's like the painting came into being through trial, error, and intuition. You can almost see Marcoussis wrestling with the picture plane, layering shapes like thoughts, one on top of the other. It's a bit like how Picasso and Braque were working at the time, but with its own vibe, its own set of questions. The texture seems built up, thick in places, maybe scraped back in others. Notice the dark, claw-like shape at the bottom—is it a shadow, a void, or something more? Painters are in a conversation with each other, across time, inspiring each other’s creativity. I love how painting embraces uncertainty, allowing for multiple readings.