Turkish Cafe (II) 1914

August Macke created this painting of a Turkish Cafe with oil on canvas. Look at how the colours feel both harmonious and completely unexpected. He wasn’t afraid to pair a bold blue with a vivid orange, or a bright yellow with a deep red. It’s like he’s inviting you to see the world not as it is, but as it could be, a world where colours vibrate and sing together. If you look closely, you can see the texture of the canvas coming through the paint, particularly in areas like the blue wall and the red tree trunk. There is an energy in the leaves overhead, as though he built up layers and layers to get the colour just right. Macke reminds me of Matisse in his playful use of colour and form. Like Matisse, he seems to be less interested in representing reality and more interested in creating a feeling, an atmosphere. This painting embraces ambiguity and multiple interpretations. It’s a conversation, a dialogue between the artist, the painting, and you.