Old Man Reading 1909

Albrecht Anker gave us this image of an old man reading in what looks like watercolour in 1900. I love the layering of the washes that make up the man's clothes; it’s like Anker is slowly building up a portrait, one translucent layer at a time. His book is very well-worn and loved. There's a tactile quality in the way the pages are rendered that almost makes you want to reach out and turn one. See how he’s holding his head, like the weight of knowledge, or maybe just old age is bearing down on him? The browns and greys create this very contemplative mood. It reminds me a little of some of Lucian Freud’s portraits, the way he captures the weight and texture of skin. Both artists seem interested in the lived-in quality of their subjects. In the end, this painting is about the simple act of reading, a quiet moment of reflection captured in gentle, layered washes. It’s a beautiful and affecting image.