Portrait 1936

Tove Jansson painted this oil on canvas portrait sometime in the 20th century, and you can really see how her brushstrokes build up the form. The way the colours are layered feels almost like a conversation. I love the little dashes of blue and pink that seem to vibrate against the ochre yellow of the sitter’s jacket, and the way those colours are picked up again in the background and the bowl. It’s all so intuitive, like she's feeling her way through the painting. Look at the hands, slightly awkward but full of character! They’re not trying to be perfect, just real. She reminds me a little of Paula Modersohn-Becker, another artist who wasn't afraid to be honest and a little raw. Art is a dialogue, a continuous exchange of ideas and feelings. This painting speaks to that beautifully. It’s not about having all the answers, but about embracing the questions.