Leentjie 

Curator: Let’s discuss Maggie Laubser's oil painting, "Leentjie." I am immediately drawn to the juxtaposition of the figure and the simplified background elements. It almost flattens the space. Editor: Yes, there's a definite collapsing of planes. My initial impression is one of contemplative stillness, a sense of quietude emanating from the subject’s gaze. Looking deeper, it suggests something much more complex— an individual set against an unsettling, surreal dreamscape of softly defined architecture. Curator: I agree about that surreal landscape, though. It is interesting how the composition uses high-key tones, the contrast highlighting the interplay between the dark, central figure, and lighter forms that compose both the landscape and architectural elements of the setting. The brushstrokes are quite expressive as well, don't you think? The visible texture adds depth, while also keeping the form somewhat grounded in the materials. Editor: Those expressive brushstrokes! They evoke a kind of personal vision or psychological narrative for me. The house for instance is simple enough but the choice to paint it white under an intense bright blue sky with those cartoonish clouds speaks to something. Curator: Precisely! The relationship between figure and ground complicates how we are invited to see and understand this particular body in space. The palette is very striking— that pink against the deep blue. It destabilizes typical modes of portraiture. There's an exploration of color and form over conventional representation that destabilizes assumptions. Editor: I can only imagine the cultural backdrop. The painting certainly captures that cultural milieu, possibly even speaks to its evolving, contradictory character as that kind of scene exists primarily in one’s memory rather than reality. There is a very real relationship of contrast with that choice of color to set her apart. Curator: Laubser certainly prioritized formal innovation. The focus is less about verisimilitude and more on manipulating visual elements to create an emotionally evocative experience. The subject is meant to function within a greater network of structural relationships in her works, not just the artwork. Editor: I agree that there is more to the emotional core than what is shown and even if one is looking primarily at composition. "Leentjie" uses these striking contrasts to communicate that. Curator: I believe we are able to appreciate her aesthetic.