The Retreating Fog, Morning, Les Andelys 1902

Maxime Maufra made this painting of Les Andelys, probably in oil on canvas, and maybe en plein air, capturing a morning scene through a veil of retreating fog. The colours are muted, with soft greens, blues, and greys dominating the canvas. You can really see how the strokes of paint are visible, creating a textured surface that almost vibrates with light. The way Maufra layered the colours, it feels like you’re standing right there, feeling the dampness in the air. Take a look at the top right of the canvas, there are thicker, almost sculptural strokes, that describe the rocky cliffside and which make it appear solid and permanent, in contrast to the fleeting nature of the fog. This piece really speaks to a sensibility that you see a lot in French painting of this time, I'm thinking of Sisley, Pissarro, or even Cezanne, who all dealt with light and atmosphere in a similar way. It reminds us that art isn't just about capturing a scene, but about how we experience the world around us. It is never settled.