Chest c. 1938

This is Bernard Krieger’s ‘Chest’, painted at an unknown date with an unknown medium. Look how the earthy tones create this image of the chest, almost like a study in browns and blacks and the unexpected floral pattern that contrasts against the dark backdrop. The artist's hand feels present, you can feel the textures and colours, and it's like an art itself. The top of the chest, in particular, has this beautiful dark, almost reflective sheen, where you can just about make out the individual brushstrokes, almost like the way oil paint dries. It reminds me of some of the work of the folk artists, who created compelling, personal pieces, that were so interesting in their own right. Ultimately, like all good art, it's more about the questions it raises than any definitive answers it might offer.