Winter 1971

This winter scene by Ivan Generalic probably came to life one cold day, stroke by stroke, detail by detail. I can imagine him, focused, slowly building the layers, starting with the pale blue of the sky. The paint looks smooth, like it's been carefully laid down, almost lovingly, to describe the snow-covered roofs and the bare trees. It's so detailed! The little tracks in the snow, the ducks waddling about – you can almost feel the crisp air. The grandmother pulling the child on the sledge seems full of warmth and care. I'm thinking about all the artists who came before him, who’ve tried to capture the essence of a moment, a feeling, a season. We artists, we are all in conversation.