Composition 1930

Janos Mattis-Teutsch made this gouache composition sometime in the 20th century; it's like he was making a stage set, complete with strangely coloured characters. I can imagine him, brush in hand, carefully mixing the gouache to get that flat, almost chalky blue. It's a brave colour choice - the kind that could either sing or fall flat on its face. But here, it sings! It gives those figures this otherworldly, almost melancholic vibe. What were they thinking when they made this? There's a stillness to them, especially the big figure to the right. And the paint isn't overworked, it is just right. It is as if each shape has been considered and precisely placed. It reminds me a little bit of some of Léger’s figure studies, but with a more personal, dreamlike quality. It’s like Teutsch is inviting us into a silent play, where the meaning is just out of reach, shimmering in the blue haze. There's an ongoing conversation between artists and the constant exchange of ideas. Painting offers a form of embodied expression, an embracing of ambiguity. I love the ambiguity and uncertainty of this piece, allowing for multiple readings.