Still Life 1909

This painting is by Auguste Herbin, who was playing with how different shapes could fit together to create a kind of visual harmony. I imagine Herbin beginning by sketching out the basic shapes of the objects he wanted to include, like that plant or the statue. Then he blocked in colors, probably going back and forth between different areas of the canvas, adjusting the hues and values until he achieved a balance that felt just right. The slightly muted, chalky colors create a sense of stillness and contemplation. It’s a conversation between the artist, the objects, and the viewer, where meaning emerges through the act of seeing and feeling. It reminds me a little bit of Léger, who also simplified forms into these geometric shapes. Both artists used the language of abstraction to explore new ways of representing the world. It shows how artists are always in dialogue, building on each other’s ideas across time.