Dimensions: 21 5/8 x 18 1/4 x 2 1/4 in. (54.93 x 46.36 x 5.72 cm) (outer frame)14 1/2 x 18 in. (36.83 x 45.72 cm) (canvas)
Copyright: Public Domain
Robert Koehler painted this head of an old woman using oil on canvas; the date is unknown, but the portrait sits against a neutral backdrop, drawing all attention to the subject. The composition invites an emotional response, achieved through colour, shape, and texture. Koehler’s formal choices—the somber palette and visible brushstrokes—evoke a sense of gravity. The lack of idealization speaks to a Realist sensibility, focusing on the unvarnished truth of aging. By engaging a semiotic system, the subject's headdress and dark clothing carry cultural codes, and the artist destabilizes established meanings of beauty, challenging viewers to confront their perceptions of aging and representation. Note the textured brushwork, its function not just aesthetic but also philosophical. The material quality of the paint echoes the rough, weathered character of the woman’s face, reminding us of the passage of time and prompting us to see the beauty in life's more challenging phases. This beauty evolves and shifts, but it remains.
Comments
The German-born Robert Koehler was Director of the Minneapolis School of Fine Arts, now the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, from 1892 to 1914. He also played a key role in the establishment of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. This painting, a gift from Koehler's students in 1901, was one of the earliest artworks to enter the Institute's collections.
Join the conversation
Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.
CollectMore like this
