BACKS AND MORE BACKS

I wonder who it was who suggested that I went along to see Hammershøi? Perhaps Laurent and Jerome? When I looked at the museum web site I can’t say that I was in raptures but even so, as I'm on the outlook for artists I don’t know, this seemed to be a good opportunity. 

Marielle came with me to the Jacquemart André. We were both fearing the worst for the crowds but no queues and yet when we go into the museum, that was another story. 



Hammershøi is described at the Master of Danish Painting (1864-1916).  Although very well known while alive, he was virtually forgotten after his death until the 1990s when rediscovered. Sometimes  he is considered to be the Vermeer of the 20th century. I would go along with that. His work is very subtle, interiors painted in grey and white tones which are often empty or feature the silhouette of a woman seen from the back. I have never seen so many paintings of backs before. Mysterious too. I said to Marielle : «What are they looking at? What are they doing? » A real stimulus for the imagination. Especially as few of the titles actually tell us who it is! Probably his wife Ida. 

Study of a woman from the back -1884-88

Carl Holsøe' wife - a friend of H. 1884-88

1898

1899

Hvile - also called Repos. 1915

 This is one of the most famous of his works. It is Ida. There is something so real about her. Those strands of hair poking out. I want to touch her neck. It's so sensual. Probably, my favorite. .

 One of  the most surprising paintings is that of Ida and 

Hammershøi's two sisters-in-law. Despite their proximity, they appear isolated and deep in thought. 

Three young women - 1895

His other portraits are ethereal too...

Portrait of Ida when she was his finacée 1890

Portrait of Ida -1892

Interior with woman arranging flowers - 1990

Standgade 30 - 1905

There is something delicate about his landscapes too…is this real? 

The Jewish School in Guilford Street (London) 1912-13

 














Even the image of this young man…

Study of a young man reading - 1898. probably his brother Svend.

Autoportrait - 1895

Finally, his nudes. This is only a small part of his work an undoubtedly the least known. They were executed from living models - but who? They remain a mystery too.   Yet they stand out in a neutral background

1910

Three studies for nudes - 1909-1910

1886



For me his work is very clean cut, rather like the northern culture. Precise, minimalist and showing what needs to be seen - no more. I liked it for that if not for anything else.