Man reading (Father) 1917

Walter Gramatté made this painting of a man reading, probably his father, with oil on canvas. The palette is dark and moody, but there's a warmth to it, like embers glowing beneath the surface. Look at the way Gramatté applies paint; it's thick, almost sculptural in places, and he doesn't shy away from leaving the marks of his brush visible. There's no attempt to hide the process. It's all about the physical act of applying pigment to the canvas. The man's face is built up of these chunky strokes. It's not about capturing a likeness, it's about conveying a sense of presence, of inner life. There's a connection to Munch in the emotional intensity and expressive brushwork, but Gramatté brings his own unique sensibility to the work. It feels like an intimate portrait, one that embraces the beautiful messiness of being human. Art is always a conversation; it’s never really finished.