Overlæge C.V. Zahrtmann 1930

Peter Ilsted made this sensitive portrait of Overlæge C.V. Zahrtmann, likely using charcoal or perhaps lithography, given its tonal depth. The artwork appears to have emerged from soft strokes and delicate gradations of tone, carefully built up to capture the sitter's likeness and the quiet intensity of the moment. Ilsted’s choice of medium lends the piece a softness that softens the starkness of the subject’s features and attire. I can imagine the artist, working in soft light, gently coaxing the image from the paper, finding the form within the shadows. The texture seems smooth and understated, allowing the light to define the subject's features, especially around the eyes and brow. This approach evokes a feeling of contemplation and introspection. There is a conversation happening across time and different media; the tradition of portraiture inspires new creative approaches.