Chaim Soutine and Facture

Chaim Soutine, Houses of Cagnes, 1924-25

I learned a new word today, facture, which means "the quality of the execution of a painting; an artist's characteristic handling of the paint."  Chaim Soutine is a dynamic painter form the early twentieth century, whose landscapes writhe and twist.  Unfortunately, I have never seen one of his works in person, so I am unable to truly see the brushstrokes and texture of the surface of the painting.  He was involved in the Expressionist movement in Paris, which favored emotions in their paintings over direct representation.  The warped buildings and landscape in his paintings give a sense of tension and anxiety throughout.  In my opinion, one cannot look at a Soutine landscape with feeling something.  Enjoy!