House in Lille Næstved 1904

This is a painting of a house in Lille Næstved by Hans Andersen Brendekilde; it’s hard to say exactly when it was made, but it's dated '90, so I guess 1890. The paint handling here feels very much of its time, it’s neither too tight nor too loose, somewhere in the middle. I like the way the overall palette is quite muted, but then there are these small bursts of color in the flowers. Look at the way the blossom is treated – it's not trying to be hyper-real. Instead, it's about conveying a sense of abundance, and the arrival of spring. Then there's the way that the artist has given us the impression of the thatched roof – you can feel the texture of the straw, the way that the light catches on the surface, it's not just a flat plane. The artist seems to be working within the traditions of the Dutch Masters, but the way he captures this scene feels very much of its own time. It reminds me of Peder Krøyer, but with a much quieter touch. It's not shouting at you, it's inviting you in.