Portret van Adam von Berzewiczy Possibly 1880 - 1884

This is a portrait of Major Adam von Berzewiczy, made with watercolour by an anonymous artist. Watercolour is a fascinating medium, because it is so closely tied to the presence of the artist. It requires both control and spontaneity. Because the pigments are suspended in water, the artist has to be confident and quick, and the traces of the brushstrokes are more visible than in oil painting, for example. This portrait has a crispness, a precision of line, that suggests the hand of a trained draughtsman. Look at the details: the way the light catches on the highly polished boots, the texture of the ornate sash, and the shadows on Berzewiczy’s face. The artist may have come from a craft background, where mastery of line and delicate application of colour was central. Watercolour was often considered a less elevated medium than oil, associated with illustration and design. But here, it gives us an intimate glimpse into the major's world, blurring the boundaries between fine art and craft.