Portret Żony W Zielonym Swetrze 1921

Józef Pankiewicz painted this portrait of his wife, wearing a green sweater, using oil on canvas. The colour is applied in layers of short, broken brushstrokes, and this gives the surface an almost velvety texture. It’s as if the light is shimmering on the surface of the painting. Take a look at the way Pankiewicz renders the green sweater. The texture is built up with strokes of different shades of green, from a deep emerald to a brighter, almost yellow-green. These strokes follow the contours of the fabric, suggesting the way it drapes and folds. The colour here reminds me a little of Vuillard. Both artists were interested in the way that colour could create a sense of atmosphere and mood. This piece feels like a study in how the artist can use paint to capture the essence of a person, rather than just their likeness. It’s like a conversation, or a dance, between the artist, the sitter, and the materials themselves.