The Landlord Ii 1928

"The Landlord II" is a painting by Helene Schjerfbeck, a Finnish artist who lived from 1862 to 1946. Schjerfbeck painted in a time when class differences were very visible. “The Landlord II” reflects those differences. The painting shows a man in profile; his face is composed of planes, with a long nose, and tightly pursed lips. Schjerfbeck's palette here is muted, dominated by earth tones, which adds to the sense of the sitter’s austerity. There is an emotional complexity in the way Schjerfbeck portrays her subject. The landlord, often seen as an oppressor, is presented here with a certain vulnerability, his sharp features softened by the artist's delicate brushwork. Schjerfbeck doesn’t shy away from the complexities of human nature. Instead, she asks us to consider the nuances of power, and invites empathy for those who may seem unsympathetic at first glance.