The coach house 1907

Ramón Casas made this painting, ‘The Coach House’ with oil on canvas; it captures a moment frozen in time. The earthy tones of the stable contrast with the glimmering brass of the motorcar, a symbol of modernity pulling up alongside tradition. I’m struck by the texture here. It’s not about a smooth finish; it’s got this tangible, almost gritty quality. The brushstrokes are visible, especially in the wooden beams overhead. You can sense Casas building the image, layer by layer. It's like he's not just representing the scene, but recreating the very air of the coach house. Look at the contrast between the figures clustered by the wagon and the lone driver in his new fangled automobile. It’s a scene of transition, and painted with a knowing nostalgia. This reminds me of some of Degas’ interior scenes, especially in the way the figures are captured in a fleeting moment. It’s this quality, where ambiguity trumps clarity, which gives a painting its lasting power.