Jossa 1915 - 1918

Curator: Here we have Christian Krohg's oil painting, "Jossa," created between 1915 and 1918. Editor: The somber mood is instantly arresting. Her figure almost emerges from the darkness, giving it an intimate and contemplative feel. Curator: Indeed. Krohg was known for his realistic depictions of everyday life, often focusing on marginalized individuals. We might consider the historical context: painted during wartime, resources and models would have been impacted, dictating the austerity we perceive today. Editor: The somber palette definitely underscores that austerity, you're right. But what about Jossa herself? The subtle upward gaze, a slight tension around the mouth. What story is held in her expression, I wonder? What inner narrative does this posture symbolize? Curator: It is interesting that you raise the emotional climate in terms of Jossa herself. Oil paint was commercially produced at this time, and the surface of this particular work is layered but even, a far cry from his earlier work with more visible layering and thick application from hand-mixed pigment. Editor: And yet, the relative uniformity in paint texture only focuses more intention on her facial expression, which appears fraught and delicate against the heavy blacks in the jacket and background. Look at the thin slash of crimson he used for her lips! The effect is a striking, vulnerable beauty. Is the stark palette suggestive of mortality or some kind of symbolic sacrifice related to the Great War? Curator: Her clothing certainly suggests that of the working class, possibly of low socio-economic means. The scarcity and ration culture could have informed the simplicity and reduced colour palate within this painting. We must consider this when determining Krohg’s purpose in creating Jossa’s character within the art piece itself. Editor: Agreed. Context informs meaning, of course, and war would undoubtedly be one potent variable here. To consider it now allows "Jossa" to transcend the mere personal story. Curator: Precisely. It adds a broader societal significance to it, through its materiality. Editor: Absolutely. In short, the weight of what symbols suggest creates something haunting.