José van Gool’s paintings of impressionist inspirations are playful,
rich, and sometimes mournful gestures of a seductive world. The human figure, alone or existing with others, is the central force of each canvas. A series of these paintings includes women wearing hats and posing in washes of golden yellow, auburn, and brick red. They appear to look out and confront the world, but in each case the brim of the hat casts a shadow, and the true expression in each woman’s eyes is left in doubt, leaving an impression of coquettishness and mystery.