I køkkenet. Tante Nanna skræller kartofler 1884

Viggo Johansen created this painting of his Aunt Nanna using oil on canvas; a common medium at the time. But what makes this painting interesting isn't just the medium, but the message behind it. Look at the scene itself: Aunt Nanna is doing a domestic chore. Johansen invites us to consider the labor involved in everyday life, elevating a simple act of peeling potatoes to the level of art. Notice the level of detail in the painting: you can almost feel the texture of the potato skins. The way he uses light and shadow to show the work, and the amount of work, involved in preparing a simple meal. By depicting this scene, Johansen challenges the traditional idea of what is considered worthy of art. He reminds us that the everyday lives of ordinary people, and the work they do, are just as meaningful and deserving of our attention. In this way, Johansen asks us to consider not only the art itself, but the labor and social context in which it was created.