Portrait of a Young Woman in a Hat (Jadwiga Zak) 1913

Eugeniusz Zak made this 'Portrait of a Young Woman in a Hat' with what looks like diluted oil paints, maybe with some pastel work over the top. I love the way Zak’s built up layers, especially that ochre shadow on her face - it's as if he’s slowly teasing out the form from the surface. You can almost feel the push and pull of his hand. And what a face! She feels both contemporary and timeless. The thinness of the paint is so striking. The ground shows through, creating a luminous quality. Look at how the ribbon under her chin almost dissolves into the background, while the hat has a weightiness of its own. It reminds me of a Balthus in its quiet, enigmatic mood, but with a softer, dreamier touch. It’s a reminder that painting isn't about answers, but about embracing the questions and letting the materials lead you.