Lisbeth at the birch grove 1910

Carl Larsson painted 'Lisbeth at the Birch Grove' with oil on canvas, and what strikes me is how the making of the picture feels so present. There's a sense that Larsson has built this image up through layers of color. The way the light filters through the birch trees and glances off Lisbeth's face is just beautiful. And it’s all done with these delicate, almost pointillist touches. You can see the individual strokes, especially in the bark of the trees, where he’s built up texture with dabs of white, grey, and black. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s the paint, here’s the making of the image, and here’s the magic it creates." Larsson reminds me a little of Vuillard, with his focus on domestic scenes and intimate portraits, though his palette is brighter and more optimistic. Both artists, though, invite us into their world and make us feel like we're part of the story. And isn't that what art's all about? Leaving things open, so the conversation can keep going.