Figurehead 1935 - 1942

Ingrid Selmer-Larsen's "Figurehead," is rendered with what looks like white chalk on a moody blueish-grey ground. I can imagine the artist building up the figure slowly, maybe with soft strokes, gently coaxing the details into existence. The figure looms out of this grey haze, poised and regal, yet her missing arm and the abrupt cut-off at the base give her this feeling of being unfinished, as if she's been plucked from a larger context, or is in the midst of transforming. I wonder if Selmer-Larsen felt a sense of kinship with this figure, finding common ground in their shared histories and experiences. The textures are remarkable – the soft drapery, the intricate details of her gown, all rendered with a delicate touch. It's like Selmer-Larsen is not just depicting an object, but imbuing it with a sense of presence and vitality.