Portrait of Karlovac Mayor Ivan Benić (detail) 1994

Alfred Freddy Krupa painted this portrait of Karlovac Mayor Ivan Benić on a canvas measuring 100 by 70 cm. It's interesting to see how Krupa's approach to portraiture involves delicate tonal modelling, carefully applied to give an impression of depth and volume. There is an undeniable sense of dignity and self-possession in this portrait, perhaps reflected in the rich and muted palette of browns and blacks which lend a sense of gravitas to the figure. Looking closely at the surface of the painting, you can see the subtle blending and layering of colours in the skin tone. I notice the almost imperceptible transition from light to shadow along the cheekbone and jawline, achieved through the use of soft, feathery brushstrokes. The formality of the portrait is a far cry from some of the artist's more experimental works, but here there is perhaps a nod to Lucian Freud in the unflinching realism and the attention to detail. Ultimately, it’s the combination of formal qualities with a sense of individual character that makes this portrait so compelling.