Open Window 1928

Raoul Dufy made this painting, Open Window, with oils on canvas, and looking at it, I imagine a bright sunny day. You can almost feel the sun on your skin! There's something so optimistic about the colour palette; blues and reds dominate, but there is a full spectrum of colour that lifts my spirits. It reminds me of Matisse and his ability to use bright colour to create flat but decorative compositions. I can imagine Dufy working on this in one of his studios, trying to catch the light on the water. The brushstrokes are so simple, economical even. He's not trying to create a photo-realistic depiction of a room; instead, he is creating a feeling of warmth and light that is so evocative. I love the casual nature of the brushstrokes and the sense of movement. I find it so charming and delightful. It makes me want to grab my paints and brushes and capture the world around me. Dufy is one of those painters that, for me, keeps the conversation of painting alive!