Portrait of a Woman 1912

Editor: Here we have Andre Derain’s “Portrait of a Woman” from 1912, done in oil on canvas. There's something unsettling about her blank stare. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: You know, unsettling is a great word. It's not your typical portrait flattering its subject, is it? For me, it’s the ochre palette; the world seems to be filtered through amber-colored glasses, giving it a pensive, perhaps even melancholy feel. Considering Derain's involvement with Fauvism, with its explosive colors, this muted tone feels deliberate. It’s like the ghost of Fauvism is still present, haunting a more sober reality. What do you think, is this just a subdued Fauvist exercise? Editor: I can definitely see the link, but it feels almost like Fauvism stripped back to its emotional core, if that makes sense? Almost like Derain's showing us the weight behind the color. What about the sitter’s expression? Curator: Absolutely! The anonymity of the sitter is captivating. Those almond eyes…they are deeply set but almost lack a pupil. Like windows into a soul but the shades are drawn. Perhaps she is meant to be less an individual and more of a cipher, a symbol of the times, the pre-war tension hanging in the air. Or maybe, it’s just a Tuesday and she’s really wishing she was elsewhere! Editor: I never thought about the pre-war context. So, Derain isn't just painting a woman; he's maybe painting a mood, a feeling, of that historical moment. I’ll definitely look at Derain's work differently now! Thanks. Curator: Precisely! Art always has layers, doesn't it? It's like peeling an onion...you might cry, but you always learn something new!