The Aran Isles 1912

Augustus John made this painting of the Aran Isles with visible brushstrokes and a muted palette of greens, blues, and creams. I can imagine him standing there, trying to capture this landscape, and maybe even battling the elements in order to get it down on canvas. Look at those quick, decisive strokes that build up the land and sea. It feels like John was trying to nail the essence of the place rather than get bogged down in details. There's a real physicality to the paint, especially in the foreground where you can almost feel the texture of the land. The way he layers the colors reminds me of other landscape painters, like the Impressionists, but John brings his own rugged energy. The white houses dotted around the island offer a glimpse into the lives of those who inhabit this landscape. It's as though John wants to capture the intimacy of a scene, and create an emotional resonance in the work. It reminds me how much painting is about feeling.