Notre Dame, the Effect of Sunlight 1906

Francis Picabia made this painting of Notre Dame with visible brushstrokes and a muted colour palette. Imagine Picabia standing before this iconic cathedral, his eyes absorbing the way sunlight dances across its stone facade. You can almost feel the artist's presence as he dabs and strokes, building up the image from a mosaic of colours. The paint isn’t too thick, but you can see how each stroke adds to the overall texture, like the rough, time-worn surface of the cathedral itself. And that light! It's not just illumination; it's almost a character in the painting, softening the edges and bringing the stone to life. Picabia, like many painters, was clearly captivated by Notre Dame. There is a sense of homage and respect in the work. The artist is inspired by the cathedral’s majesty and the simple act of painting becomes a way of understanding and celebrating it.