Brücke über den Landwehrkanal 1920

Lesser Ury painted Brücke über den Landwehrkanal with what looks like pastels, and there’s a real urgency in the marks. The color palette is very vivid and expressive, it’s easy to imagine him working en plein air, responding directly to the scene. I really love the way he captures the light filtering through the trees. It is like broken marks that create a shimmering effect on the water and the pathway. You can see the texture of the pastel on the surface, each stroke adding to the vibrancy of the scene. The way the colors blend together so seamlessly, yet still retain their individuality, creates a sense of depth and movement. There’s a feeling of spontaneity, like he’s trying to capture a fleeting moment in time. Look at how the blues in the water contrast with the warmer yellows and browns of the path. Ury’s work reminds me of other impressionist landscape painters like Camille Pissarro. But, with a touch more roughness. And like them, his paintings remind us that art is a conversation, where each artist builds upon the ideas and techniques of those who came before.