Salute 2017

Mary Jane Ansell painted Salute, we don't know when, but it feels like a modern take on something classic. I see the most delicate rendering of skin tones, blush on her cheeks, all so subtle. You can tell Ansell is invested in the process, building up layers to get this incredible depth. The texture of her skin is alive. She is so luminous it reminds me of the Pre-Raphaelites. There’s a real tension between the hyperrealism of the face and the almost abstract treatment of the white shirt, all soft edges and diffused light. Look at the way the light catches the brim of the hat, the slight shadow on her hand, which is such a graceful gesture. There's a quietness about the whole thing, a kind of stillness that makes you want to look closer and think about what it means to salute. It's like a conversation between photography and painting.