The Wave 1902

Frantisek Kupka built up this image of a girl by the sea with layers of watery blues, pinks, and grays. I imagine Kupka feeling the ocean's spray, trying to capture the moment with dabs and swirls of paint, trying to keep up with the water. I sympathize with the artist's challenge to paint something so dynamic! I can almost feel the energy he put into rendering each crest and ripple. Look how the translucent dress blends with the turbulent sea, hinting at the vulnerability of human existence against the forces of nature. It also reminds me a bit of other painters who tried to capture the sublime, like Turner. Ultimately, painting is a conversation between artists across time, a back-and-forth where ideas evolve. We are constantly inspired by those who came before us, and who will come after. Kupka's wave captures this restless spirit.