Description
Turkish Coffee is an oil painting by German Expressionist artist August Macke, which was created in the summer of 1914, shortly before the start of World War I.
This painting depicts a cafe in Istanbul, Turkey, with tables and chairs arranged outdoors in a square. Macke uses bright, saturated colors to create a sense of joy and vitality in the scene. The loose and expressive brushwork suggests movement and activity in the cafe.
What is interesting about this painting is that it reflects Macke's interest in the Islamic world, which began when he visited Tunis in 1914. In Café Turco, you can see how Macke incorporates elements of Islamic culture and architecture into the café scene, such as the arches and mosaics in the background.
Another interesting aspect of Café Turco is that it shows the influence of the Fauvist movement on the style of August Macke. Fauvism was a French art movement characterized by the use of bright, bold colors and free, expressive brushwork. In this painting, Macke uses strong, saturated colors to create a sense of vitality and movement in the cafe scene.
In addition, the arrangement of the tables and chairs in the painting suggests a feeling of conviviality and community, which is a recurring theme in Macke's work. In many of his paintings, people can be seen interacting and enjoying life together.
This is a fascinating work that reflects the artist's interest in Islamic culture and the Fauvist style. The vibrant color palette and expressive brushwork create a sense of vitality and movement in the café scene, while the arrangement of tables and chairs suggests a sense of community and togetherness.
Unfortunately, August Macke died in World War I at the age of 27, making this painting one of the last and most significant works he produced.