The artwork “Open Window” by Raoul Dufy, created in 1928, epitomizes the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. This interior genre artwork is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Raoul Dufy is known for his bright and cheerful scenes, and this painting is a testament to his distinctive approach to color and composition.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a lively and vivid interior scene. A focal point is the open window which frames a view of distant buildings under a broad expanse of blue sky, conveying the artist’s intention to bring the outside environment into the room. Two chairs, one intimately detailed with a patterned red fabric and another rendered more simply in white and blue tones, invite the observer into the personal space. The patterned carpet and decorative elements such as the curtains and the ornate detailing on the walls and furniture add a layer of texture and depth, indicative of Dufy’s style that integrates domestic comfort with an almost dream-like and unstructured representation of space. The bold use of bright primary colors alongside deep blues and whites highlights the contrast between the room and the exterior seascape, a characteristic feature of Dufy’s work during this period. Overall, the painting exudes a sense of joyful serenity and a carefree celebration of the everyday.
