Sunbathing on the Balcony 2020

Valeria Duca made this painting, Sunbathing on the Balcony, using loose brushstrokes to capture a moment of quiet introspection. The paint is applied with a sort of casual confidence, thick in some areas, thin in others, allowing the texture of the canvas to peek through. Look at the shadows across the balcony, see how the light isn't just one flat tone, but a collection of colours and tones, reflecting Duca's attention to the nuances of natural light. Take a look at the woman's hand resting on her leg. It’s rendered with such simplicity, yet it conveys so much about her relaxed posture. You can see the marks of the brush in the way the paint has been applied. It's about how a few strokes can suggest an entire form and mood. It reminds me a bit of Fairfield Porter's domestic scenes, the way he captured the beauty of everyday life. There's a similar sensibility here, a celebration of the ordinary, seen through the eyes of an artist who understands the power of suggestion.