Portrait of a Woman 1907

Peder Severin Krøyer drew this portrait of a woman in 1907, and what strikes me is how immediate it feels, like a quick sketch capturing a fleeting moment. Krøyer's use of pastel creates a soft, almost dreamy quality. The colours are muted, with pinks and browns dominating, giving the portrait a warm, intimate feel. Look at the woman's eyes. They are soft and kind. The gold of her necklace catches the light, adding a touch of richness to the otherwise subdued palette. It feels like Krøyer is inviting us into a private moment, a quiet contemplation of beauty. This piece reminds me a little of Degas’ pastels. But where Degas feels more detached, Krøyer feels tender. What I appreciate most is the sense of art as an act of conversation, of artists speaking to one another across time and space, not in fixed statements, but in open-ended questions.