Jaroslava and Jiri, the Artist's Children 1919

Alphonse Mucha painted 'Jaroslava and Jiri, the Artist's Children' with oil on canvas, but the date is not known. Looking at it, you feel like you're peeking into a very intimate space. It's not hyper-real, more like a dream. The painting is soft, and a little hazy, like it's remembered rather than seen, which is what I try to capture in my own work. It is almost entirely composed of these really subtle, understated colors. I like how the subdued palette gives a feeling of tenderness. I'm drawn to the way Mucha captures the folds of the girl's dress. You can see the way the light catches the fabric, and the simple brushstrokes used to define the shadow under the folds. The way he models those shapes suggests a process of watching, responding, correcting. For me, the painting recalls the work of Berthe Morisot; both artists share an interest in the domestic sphere and a commitment to recording the fleeting beauty of everyday life. Ultimately, this piece is less about perfect representation and more about capturing a feeling.