The Summer 

Odd Nerdrum created 'The Summer' with oil on canvas. As the title suggests, the colors are warm and evoke a hazy summers day. Nerdrum has used brushes with fine bristles and thin layers of paint to create this scene. The way he has applied paint means the figures blend seamlessly into the background. The light catches them, rendering them luminous against the cool water and sky, and yet they remain a part of the whole. Looking closely at the figures, we can see how Nerdrum has blended and softened the edges of the brush strokes to create a sense of realism. Nerdrum plays with traditions, and the labor involved is hidden by his skilled blending techniques. Despite this, Nerdrum allows the process of layering to show and add depth to the painting. In understanding the skill and labor involved in Nerdrum's work, we can appreciate the depth of meaning embedded within the painting.