Nero 2009

Andrey Remnev created Nero using oil on canvas and a distinct approach to both colour and form, creating a very particular mood. I'm really drawn to how Remnev handles the blue of the woman's dress, and the river behind her. The way he uses these colours feels like he's building up layers, almost like a fresco, where each stroke and shift in tone adds to the sense of depth and texture. It is this application that invites you to trace the artist's movements and choices, creating a visual record of his painting process. It reminds me a little of Balthus, in its stillness and sense of mystery, but also hints at something more contemporary in it's simplified form, an ongoing conversation across time. Art embraces ambiguity, and this piece is no exception.