Sitting Peasant 1904

Bela Czobel made this painting, Sitting Peasant, with expressive brushstrokes of pinks, greens, and yellows. I can imagine Czobel outside with his easel, carefully observing this figure. You can almost feel the light, as if filtered through the trees. I think Czobel was really trying to capture a feeling. He's using these strokes that feel free and unburdened, not overly concerned with details. Look at that vibrant pink shirt set against the dark greens! It's like he's interested in how colors vibrate next to each other. And isn’t it interesting how that table in the front is almost like a geometric abstraction? Painters have always looked to each other, finding inspiration and new ways of seeing. Czobel seems to be asking, ‘How can I make this uniquely mine?’ I think that’s what every artist asks themselves. It’s a beautiful, never-ending conversation.