Albertine 1884

Christian Krohg made this painting, Albertine, using oil on canvas. Krohg's application of the material is crucial to our understanding of the artwork; it is not smoothly blended, but thick, loose, and sketch-like, with visible brushstrokes adding a sense of immediacy. This technique was associated with Realism, a movement concerned with unvarnished depictions of modern life. He was interested in showing the harsh realities of life for working-class people. His handling of oil paint is integral to this; it shows a scene of a woman being escorted by police, a stark contrast to traditional academic paintings, which idealize their subjects. In its time, it was considered a radical act to paint such subject matter. Krohg's commitment to depicting social issues, combined with his expressive use of materials, blurred the lines between traditional fine art and social commentary. His emphasis on materiality and its connection to broader social issues encourages a deeper engagement with the artwork, challenging preconceived notions of art's purpose and significance.