Francis Patrick Garvan 1921

This is a portrait of Francis Patrick Garvan by Philip Alexius de László, made with what looks like oil on canvas. I wonder what it was like for de László to stand before his sitter, brush in hand, trying to capture not just a likeness but also something of the man’s essence. I imagine him mixing pale tones, searching for the right shade to convey the texture of Garvan’s suit – a creamy, almost luminous white. The brushstrokes are soft, blended, giving a sense of volume and light. Look at the subtle shadows around Garvan’s eyes; de László really paid attention to all the small details. He captures the way the light hits the planes of the face. It's interesting to imagine this piece alongside other portraits by de László and his contemporaries—artists are constantly riffing off each other, experimenting with ways to represent the human form. Painting is a constant conversation across time. It’s always about seeing what’s been done before and pushing it a little further.