Le soleil du dimanche 1954

This painting, Le soleil du dimanche, by Felix Labisse, shows us a dreamy world in thin washes of colour. He’s not afraid to let the layers show, creating depth and atmosphere through transparency. The horse's head is the focal point, painted with smooth gradations of tone in cool whites and greys. This contrasts with the bright, fiery red emanating from behind its neck, like a surreal halo. Look at how Labisse models the form, with subtle shadows suggesting the curve of its cheek and the set of its jaw. The horse's closed eye gives it a kind of serenity, maybe even a hint of melancholy, as if it's dreaming of another world. The landscape below is spare, with soft, sandy tones and a distant, weathered castle. It’s reminiscent of Giorgio de Chirico’s eerie cityscapes, where things are not quite as they seem. This painting feels like a glimpse into a subconscious landscape. Like art itself, it’s a form that embraces ambiguity.