Casino 1975

Jesús Meneses del Barco’s 'Casino,' size 70 by 100 centimeters, seems to be constructed from a very limited palette, almost like a faded photograph. The mark making feels direct, immediate, without fussing, and makes you feel like you are there. Looking closely, I'm intrigued by the way Meneses del Barco handles the light. The scene is washed in a sepia tone, giving it a melancholic atmosphere. Notice the areas where the paint is thinner, more transparent, creating a sense of depth and shadow. Then there are spots where the paint is thicker, more opaque, like around the figures at the tables, emphasizing their presence. The way the light catches the edges of forms is wonderful, especially the backs of the suited figures in the foreground, it almost feels sculptural. Meneses del Barco reminds me of artists like Edward Hopper, in the way they capture the solitude of modern life. Art isn't about answers, it's about questions.