Bandbox 1935 - 1942

This bandbox painting, by Holger Hansen, has a decorative folk art style. Can you imagine Hansen at work on this box, carefully layering each brushstroke? The tan color creates a muted backdrop for the green, pink and brown landscapes and architectural elements. With a palette that embraces earth tones, he is working within a long tradition of landscape painters. There's something charming about the way the scenes wrap around the box, each vignette offering a glimpse into a quaint, imagined world. The painting has a naive quality, which lends it a certain charm. You can imagine the artist, perhaps self-taught, finding joy in capturing the world around them through their own unique lens. Like many artists, Hansen creates a space to think and create through the act of painting. His work reminds us that art is not just about skill, but also about vision and imagination.