Studie voor het portret van dr J.Th. de Visser, minister van O.K. en W. 1918-1925 1925

Huib Luns made this portrait study of Dr. J.Th. de Visser, minister of education, arts and sciences, with oil on canvas around 1925. Looking at the brushwork, you can really sense Luns feeling his way through the process of capturing the minister's likeness. The paint is applied in these soft, hazy layers, especially around the face, with this almost smoky quality that gives the portrait a kind of quiet, contemplative mood. Notice how Luns uses these subtle tonal shifts to create form, building up the face from a base of neutral color. The delicate rendering of the skin suggests warmth, while the muted grays of the suit give it this official seriousness. Look how soft the blending is, especially around the eyes and mouth; the lack of hard lines makes it feel like a memory rather than a crisp depiction. It reminds me a bit of Whistler's tonalism, where mood and atmosphere take precedence over sharp detail. It's like Luns is more interested in conveying the essence of the man, rather than a literal representation. It’s a painting that lingers in the mind, a subtle but powerful study in capturing a presence on canvas.