J.F. Willumsen 1908

Peder Severin Krøyer painted this portrait of J.F. Willumsen, we think around 1903, with oils. Look at how Krøyer builds the face with individual brushstrokes. It’s like he’s sculpting with paint, each stroke carefully placed to define the form and capture the light. Notice how the colours mix optically, up close it’s dabs of different tones, but from a distance, they blend into a cohesive whole. I love how the cool greys in his hair contrast with the warm tones of his skin. The texture is so palpable you feel you could reach out and touch it. The artist has used thin layers in the background to create depth, which makes the face pop out. This kind of broken colour technique reminds me of the Impressionists. It's like Krøyer is having a conversation with them, taking their ideas and making them his own. In the end, it's this constant dialogue that makes art so interesting.