Jennifer in picture hat 1986

Frank Mason painted Jennifer in picture hat with oil on canvas, and what strikes me is how the cracking of the paint adds this whole other layer to the work. It's like time itself has become part of the painting. Looking closely, you can see how the paint isn't just sitting flat on the canvas. It's built up in layers, especially around the face and the hat. Those thick strokes give a real sense of texture, making you want to reach out and touch it, even though you definitely shouldn't! The colours are moody, mostly greys and browns, but then you get these little pops of red in the apple and blue in the bowl. The way he’s captured the light makes the whole scene feel like a memory, soft and a little faded. Mason’s work reminds me a little of Rembrandt, especially in the way he uses light and shadow to create depth. There's something deeply satisfying about seeing how artists across generations borrow from and respond to one another.