Huile sur papier journal No.4 1984

Maurice Esteve made this ‘Huile sur papier journal No.4’ painting using oil on newspaper, and you can see the textured brushstrokes throughout. I love that we can see glimpses of the newsprint underneath—it’s like he’s painting over the present, transforming the fleeting information of the day into something lasting. I imagine Esteve in his studio, layering colors, making intuitive marks, and letting the painting emerge slowly. The shapes are defined by bold, dark outlines, filled with muted yellows, reds, and blacks. There is a sense of balance between representation and abstraction. I am drawn to that one thick black line that confidently wraps around the figures. It flattens the space and defines the forms, turning them into almost cartoonish shapes. It reminds me a little of Léger, but with a rougher, more personal touch. Artists are always building on what came before, finding their voice in the conversation of art history. Esteve’s work is a testament to the power of painting to transform our understanding of the world.