Portrait of a Boy 1920

Edvard Weie made this oil painting, Portrait of a Boy, sometime in his career, and it feels like a puzzle of feelings. The colors, a mix of murky greens and browns, give the whole scene a slightly melancholic air. Look at the way Weie handles the paint. It's not about perfect lines or smooth surfaces. Instead, he builds up the image with these thick, expressive strokes. The dark paint of the boy's jacket feels almost sculpted, and that little pink flower adds a burst of unexpected tenderness. Notice how the background is just as important as the figure. The dark green almost seems to swallow the boy, making you wonder what’s lurking in those shadows. It reminds me a little of Paula Modersohn-Becker, the way she uses color and form to convey inner states. Ultimately, this painting invites us to see the world, and perhaps ourselves, with a bit more curiosity and a lot more heart.