Victoriano Crémer 2017

Alejandro Cabeza's "Victoriano Crémer," is an oil on canvas where the brushwork feels both precise and loose. You can see how Cabeza builds up the face with these confident strokes. It’s like each brush mark is a little decision, a building block in constructing this man's likeness. I’m drawn to the way the colors aren't blended perfectly; there's a rawness to it. Look at how the light catches the cheek – pinks, yellows, and a touch of red all sitting next to each other, creating a sense of depth and warmth. And those glasses! They're not just an accessory; they're a frame within a frame, drawing your eye into the subject's gaze. It reminds me a little of Alice Neel, in the way Cabeza captures a certain kind of lived-in quality. It’s more than just a portrait; it’s a character study. This isn't just about what Victoriano Crémer looked like, but who he might have been.