Paris, La Seine 1967

This painting of the Seine in Paris by Włodzimierz Zakrzewski looks like it was made alla prima, wet on wet. It is full of immediate marks, and that grey/brown/yellow light that painters love. I wonder if Zakrzewski felt a kinship with the Impressionists as he made it. Maybe he stood on the bank of the Seine thinking about Monet, Cezanne or Pissarro. The paint application is thick and textured, you can see the individual strokes and dabs, especially in the buildings. Look how Zakrzewski drags the paint to catch the light on the water, it feels so right. The bare trees have a fragile yet strong presence. Painters have always looked to those who came before, taking inspiration and finding new ways to express the world. It’s an ongoing conversation that spans centuries, maybe even an argument about how to depict the world. Each artist contributes their unique voice, their way of seeing and feeling.