Charles Nagel 1901

Anders Zorn painted "Charles Nagel" with oil on canvas and, well, it's all about the brushstrokes, isn't it? I mean, look how he's built this guy's face, it's like architecture with paint! The way Zorn handles the medium is remarkable; he uses a muted palette, but the magic lies in the texture. It's neither thick nor thin, but just so, a balance of opacity and transparency. Zoom in close, and you'll see how each dab of color contributes to a sense of form. Look at the way he renders the moustache, those delicate flicks of the brush, which give the impression of individual hairs. This portrait isn’t just about capturing a likeness; it’s about the act of painting itself. Zorn reminds me of Sargent, both knew how to make paint do tricks, but each was very much their own man. Ultimately, art is just a conversation through time, and what any of us make is really just another step in that big ongoing dialogue.