Messaging 1980

Paul Delvaux made this large, square painting, probably in the mid-20th century, layering delicate oil paint in thin washes to create this ghostly scene. The color palette is muted, almost monochromatic, giving the whole composition a dreamlike quality. Looking closely, you can see the canvas texture showing through the paint, adding a subtle roughness to the smooth surfaces. Delvaux’s delicate touch, particularly in the figures’ faces and clothing, contrasts with the rigid perspective of the townscape. This reminds me that artmaking is a conversation between intention and chance, between control and surrender. Notice the small lantern in the foreground, how its glow casts long shadows that seem at odds with the daylight. This surreal detail, both eerie and beautiful, encapsulates the emotional tone of the painting, one of stillness, mystery, and unspoken stories. Like Magritte, Delvaux understood that painting offers endless possibilities for exploring the spaces between seeing and knowing.