Landscape 1904

Jean Metzinger made this landscape painting at an unknown date, using oil on canvas to create an image that feels both solid and dreamlike. The brushstrokes are visible, each one a deliberate decision, yet the overall effect is more about feeling than precision. I’m drawn to how Metzinger builds up the image, layer by layer. The paint is applied in blocks of color, thick in some places, thinner in others, creating a textured surface that invites the eye to wander. Look at the way he renders the tree trunk. It's not just brown; it's a mix of greens, yellows, and even a touch of pink, as if the tree itself is breathing color into the scene. This reminds me a little of Cezanne, who was interested in the underlying structure of things, but Metzinger brings his own kind of vibrancy to the mix. There’s a looseness, an openness to interpretation, which means there's no single way to read this landscape, and that’s the joy of it.