CHAPTER XII. -Crome yellow

In Chapter XII of “Crome Yellow,” titled “Blight, Mildew, and Smut,” the narrative shifts to focus on the inner thoughts and interactions among the characters, particularly Mary and Gombauld. Mary, feeling slighted by Denis’s evasive behavior, decides to seek intellectual and artistic camaraderie with Gombauld, whose serious dedication to his art she admires. Gombauld, engaged deeply in his work, attempts to capture something beyond the tangible through his painting, exploring themes of form, light, and space beyond the constraints of cubism to achieve a form of expression that is both complex and abstract, yet profoundly human.

The chapter intricately details Gombauld’s struggle with his canvas – a dynamic and dramatic depiction of a man fallen from a horse. Despite his efforts and the quality of his work, Gombauld is plagued by dissatisfaction, constantly chasing the elusive “something” that would elevate his work to greatness. This pursuit is reflected in his intense, almost isolated dedication to his craft within the granary turned studio, away from the everyday life of the farmyard.

Mary’s visit to Gombauld’s studio under the pretense of delivering a letter reveals her own craving for intellectual and artistic validation. Her reaction to Gombauld’s painting, caught between her learned scorn for representationalism in contemporary art and her genuine admiration for the piece, underscores the tension between modernist abstraction and the enduring power of traditional forms and themes in art. The dialogue between Mary and Gombauld, veiled under layers of artistic critique and personal validation, explores the broader themes of understanding and appreciation within the context of evolving art norms.

The chapter deftly navigates through the complexities of artistic creation, the pursuit of new ideas, and the inherent struggles of artists to both honor and transcend traditional boundaries. Through the interactions between Mary and Gombauld, “Crome Yellow” delves into the intellectual and emotional landscapes of its characters, revealing their desires, insecurities, and the quest for meaning in both art and life.