Samuel Henry Kress 1953

Leopold Seyffert painted this portrait of Samuel Henry Kress with oil on canvas at an unknown date. Looking at it, I can imagine the artist building up layer upon layer of thin glazes to create this realistic likeness. I can almost feel Seyffert’s presence in the studio, capturing not just Kress’s physical appearance, but something of his inner character, his essence. I wonder what it was like for Seyffert to create this image, perhaps in the tradition of painters like Holbein, using observation and skill to render the sitter’s face and form. See how the brushstrokes are soft and blended, but the hands, in particular, are quite expressive. And that muted palette of greys, reds, and browns creates a sense of seriousness and calm. Painters are always in conversation, finding inspiration in each other’s work across the ages, constantly experimenting with new ways of seeing and depicting the world. It's not just about what you see, but how you feel and what you want to express.