Double Portrait 1936

This striking double portrait by Jose de Almada-Negreiros is painted with oils, a classic medium, but it's the artist's approach that gives it unique character. The way Almada-Negreiros builds up the paint in smooth, almost sculptural forms is fascinating. Look at how the light catches the planes of their faces, creating a sense of volume and weight. The muted palette and simplified shapes lend the painting a monumental, almost timeless quality. There's a clear engagement with the history of European portraiture, but also a clear break. Rather than striving for naturalism, the artist seems more interested in the underlying geometry of the human form. Notice the way the figures are placed against the background; they seem almost architectural. Ultimately, this painting reminds us that materials and making are never neutral. They always carry a cultural charge, reflecting the artist's choices and their relationship to the world around them.