Armtrain 1915

Carlo Carra made this painting, Armtrain, with oil on canvas. Isn't it something? The way the artist deploys these colors and lines to create a sense of dynamism, of movement; it's all about the process. Up close, you can see how Carra built up the layers, almost like a jigsaw puzzle. The surface is alive with subtle textures, where the paint seems to both sit on top of the canvas and somehow become part of it. I'm particularly drawn to the way he renders the soldiers inside the train - a rhythmic series of blues and grays, contained within this angular, mechanical form. It's like he's trying to capture the feeling of being inside this war machine. Carra's work reminds me a little of Leger, but with a uniquely Italian sensibility. It feels optimistic and brutal at the same time, embracing the messiness of modern life. This painting challenges us to see and feel the world in new ways.