The Red Turban 1911

Max Pechstein painted "The Red Turban" sometime between 1911 and 1919, and the way the color seems to sit on top of the canvas, almost floating, makes it feel really fresh. Pechstein’s use of color is so daring. Look at the way he renders the figure with such bold, almost fauvist colors. The yellows and oranges create a glowing effect, like the woman is lit from within. Then, you've got this red turban, echoed in the red chest of drawers, which really pops against the green backdrop. The background has an almost decorative quality – it could be wallpaper – but the red spots feel like a continuation of the figure's energy. The more I look, the more I'm reminded of Matisse. Both artists share this love for vibrant colors and simplified forms. It’s like they're in a conversation, pushing the boundaries of what painting can do, asking us to see the world in a new, more vibrant way.