Cigar Store Turk c. 1936

This watercolor on paper of a Cigar Store Turk by Walter Hochstrasser really makes me think about the tradition of painting. I can imagine Hochstrasser in his studio, carefully layering colors to capture the intricate details of this figure. The colors are rich and warm, and there's a real sense of depth to the image. Look at how the soft, earthy tones of his turban contrast with the vibrant yellows and blues of his robe. The artist really knew how to play with color to create visual interest! He must have stood back and taken stock a bunch, maybe even asked himself how it related to other artists. It makes me wonder, who was Hochstrasser looking at? It strikes me that painting is an ongoing conversation between artists across time. Each artist builds upon what came before, finding inspiration in the work of others. And in the end, it's all about pushing the boundaries of what painting can be, embracing those uncertainties, and knowing that a painting can take on multiple meanings.