Šašek 1916

Josef Capek built this figure out of oil paint, layering green, yellow, and blue to make a harlequin. I imagine Capek standing in front of the canvas, brush in hand, stepping back, squinting. It's a dance, right? A back and forth between seeing and doing. The surface comes alive, maybe through happy accidents of color and shape. The harlequin's diamond pattern is a trip – the way those shapes break up the figure, almost like camouflage, yet they give a sense of depth and form. Look at the red circle, how it pops against the cooler tones. It creates a focal point, a sense of playfulness amid the geometric abstraction. Capek and Picasso were friends – you can see how he's using cubism in his own way. Painting is a conversation that spans time, and in this painting, Capek offers us a moment of reflection, an invitation to find joy and meaning in the unexpected. It's like he's saying, "Hey, let's not take ourselves too seriously. Let's play."