Portrait of Julia Parthenis 1914

This is a portrait of Julia Parthenis by Konstantinos Parthenis, and it's a full-length view on a tall, narrow canvas. There’s a push and pull between the figure and the ground here; it's like the space is almost breathing. I imagine Parthenis, with his brush loaded, circling Julia, trying to find the right balance between her presence and the air around her. Her large hat seems to anchor her to the scene but it also creates a sense of mystery. It must have been quite something, working on this portrait. You have a feeling of not only capturing her likeness but also trying to understand something deeper, maybe even something spiritual. And what's great, is that you see echoes of other painters here. It’s like Parthenis is in conversation with them, adding his own voice to the mix. Painters are always looking at each other, stealing ideas, and pushing things forward.