Overlæge C.V. Zahrtmann 1930

Peter Ilsted made this mezzotint of Overlæge C.V. Zahrtmann sometime in his lifetime, using the mezzotint technique. It's a moody and evocative portrait. The limited palette, almost monochromatic, really lets the textures and tones do the talking. I'm drawn to the way Ilsted uses the mezzotint technique to create a velvety darkness that surrounds the figure. It's like Zahrtmann is emerging from the shadows, caught in a moment of contemplation as he reads. The light catches the pages of the book and his brow and cheek, creating a subtle dance between light and dark. The way the light falls on his hands, they seem aged, maybe tired, but still holding onto the book. It reminds me a little of Whistler's tonal studies, that same kind of quiet intensity. It’s a piece that invites you to slow down, to really look and feel the weight of the moment.