Sir Johns 2021

Cornelius Annor made this beautiful portrait, called *Sir Johns*, which gives us a full-length view of a man relaxing in his home. I love the gentle, warm tones and the way Annor brings together realism with flat areas of abstraction. Imagine the artist at work, mixing those ochres and earth tones, finding the right balance of color for the man's trousers and hat. Is it oil on canvas? I can almost smell the linseed oil, and see the way the brushstrokes build up the surface, creating a kind of visual texture that invites you to reach out and touch. I can imagine Annor thinking about Barkley Hendricks, another artist who was fascinated by a similar subject matter. The floral wallpaper in the background creates an interesting contrast with the geometric patterning on the sitter's jacket. And that teal floor is a beautiful foil to all the warmer colors. These unexpected combinations suggest the artist finding inspiration in the world around him. Painters are always in conversation with one another, and this work shows how artists build on the ideas of the past to create something entirely new.