Marthe 1930

Nils Dardel made this painting "Marthe" using oil on canvas, the date is unknown. I am drawn to the intimate scale, and the very pale washes of colour. I imagine the artist starting with a pinkish ground, and then building up layers of thin paint, almost like watercolour. It's as though the body is emerging from the canvas, and the artist is finding the form, and gently coaxing it into being. The figure seems to be wrapping her arms around herself, as though to protect herself. She has a delicate and thoughtful expression and an incredible head of waved dark hair. The background is very pale, giving the figure space to breathe. This painting reminds me of other paintings of women from art history, in particular some of Suzanne Valadon's paintings, where the female figure is presented with such honesty, without idealization or sentimentality. All artists are in an ongoing conversation, inspiring each other's creativity.