Santo (St. Joseph) 1939

This 'Santo' or St. Joseph, was painted on a wood panel by Carl O'Bergh. I love how the image emerges from the grain of the wood itself, like the painting is having a conversation with its support. I can imagine O’Bergh finding this piece of wood and thinking about how its inherent qualities could be incorporated. There is a certain vulnerability here, in the way O'Bergh allows the natural imperfections and texture to show through. I wonder what he was thinking when he painted this. Was he praying? Was he contemplating his role as a father? Or was he simply exploring the act of painting itself? It’s interesting to think about how O'Bergh’s vision might have been influenced by folk art traditions. Ultimately, this piece reminds us that art is not just about technical skill, but also about the exchange of ideas across time. The exchange between him and the wood, between him and folk traditions, between him and us.