Salon-Tiroler 1916

Franz von Defregger made this painting called 'Salon-Tiroler' using what looks like oil paint to create a snapshot of Tyrol life, but with a somewhat theatrical flair. The colours are subdued, like an old photograph, which gives it a sentimental feel but also highlights how he's controlling the narrative. I'm really drawn to how Defregger handles the paint, especially in the faces. There’s a certain smoothness that almost feels like he’s idealizing his subjects, but then you see these abrupt transitions in the drapery or the foliage that remind you it's all constructed. Check out the younger man’s jacket, you can almost see the brushstrokes dancing around the form, creating texture and depth. It’s like he’s letting us in on the secret of how he made it, but only partially. It reminds me a little of Courbet who would create heroic scenes of everyday life, but Defregger adds an extra layer of polish. It's a conversation across time, where one artist builds upon another's ideas, but twists them in their own way.