In the countryside 1910

Ludovic Alleaume painted these two figures reclining in a field of flowers with oil paint. The making of this piece must have been a joyful experience, with Alleaume immersed in the act of depicting the gentle slope of the land and the dappled light filtering through the red umbrella. It makes me think about the act of painting itself – how the artist might have mixed those greens to capture the varying tones of the meadow. What was going through his mind as he painted the yellow wild flowers and white daisies, each brushstroke adding to the depth and texture of the scene? The light, thin paint used for the dresses feels like it would have been so satisfying to apply. I am particularly drawn to the deliberate arrangement of the figures and the playful use of color and pattern. All of which invites us to reflect on the simple pleasures of life and the beauty that surrounds us.