Bruges courtyard 1910

Mstislav Dobuzhinsky’s ‘Bruges courtyard’ is made with oil on canvas, and I just love the way it’s built up with so much earthy texture. It feels like the painter is a curious explorer, mapping out all the little details. I'm thinking about the way the grey and brown of the cobblestones meet those vivid red roofs—the push and pull between warm and cool, and the way the artist has balanced the composition with the church tower in the background. I imagine Dobuzhinsky taking his time, adding layer upon layer of paint, letting the image emerge slowly, adjusting and refining as he goes. You can almost feel him there, brush in hand, squinting at the light, and trying to capture the unique atmosphere of this quiet courtyard. The painting is just so thoughtful, right?