Sabre 1942

This is Carl Buergerniss’s ‘Sabre’, a painting made with an eye for detail. It feels almost like a technical drawing with its exacting description. I'm drawn to the starkness of the palette, and the almost obsessive mark-making used to render the cold steel of the blade and hilt. You can almost feel the weight of it! Look how the light glints off the polished surfaces, highlighting every curve and edge. The artist doesn't shy away from the details, even the intricate braiding of the tassel gets its own moment. This painting reminds me a little of the work of Albrecht Durer - but maybe that's just the Germanic roots showing through! What I like most is the way it embraces a certain austerity. It reminds me that art doesn't always have to be loud or flashy, it can be quiet and contemplative, and still pack a punch.