The Teacher 1933

Helene Schjerfbeck made this painting, called 'The Teacher' with what looks like oil on canvas. Imagine Schjerfbeck, in her studio, mixing those muted, earthy tones, building up layers, scraping back, finding the face in the paint. I wonder what she was thinking about when she laid down those strokes that define the teacher’s face and form? It is a simple palette, but somehow very expressive. Look at the way Schjerfbeck uses thin washes of paint. You can see the texture of the canvas underneath, which gives the painting an ethereal feel. The strokes across the teacher's blouse are so direct and economical! It almost looks unfinished, but that’s the beauty of it, right? The honesty of the mark. Artists like Schjerfbeck, and others like Agnes Martin, were in an ongoing conversation across time, inspiring one another’s creativity, embracing uncertainty, and allowing multiple interpretations.