Opstilling med bøger, pibe og figur 1911

J.A. Jerichau (II) made this watercolour, Opstilling med bøger, pibe og figur, without stating when, capturing a still life of books, a pipe and a figure. I really get a kick out of this painting, especially the loose way the pigment interacts with the paper. Can you see how the washes of brown and ochre blend together to create a sense of depth and shadow? I'm struck by the immediacy and intimacy of Jerichau's touch, like the way the little figure is placed in front of the books as though in conversation with them. I imagine the artist quickly sketching to capture a fleeting moment of inspiration. It's not dissimilar to other artists such as Manet who played with similar themes around the same period. It’s like he’s saying that painting is about capturing a feeling, an atmosphere, more than a literal representation of a thing. The real joy of painting for Jerichau, and for us, lies in the process of discovery itself. It feels like a space of infinite possibilities!