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Downstairs XIII

 

Coincidences do not exist. Not even in Denmark.

It was meant to be another painting for my series Hands' Private Life, as I wanted to make a study after a masterpiece by Antonio Mancini depicting a sewing woman, backlit. Mancini could put her hand on the canvas unmistakably right with just a few impressionistic brush strokes - we immediately recognise what she is doing. My goal was to make my own version, accentuating the hand while maintaining Mancini's light and the woman's posture. Initially, I planned to set a scene in a grey-blue-red interior, using the interior of our kitchen with a window behind her.

However, neither the hand nor the overall composition came together as I had hoped, leading me to wipe the painting off mid-progress and start over. 

 

In my second attempt, I decided to focus on the figure, first working out the face and the hand. At that point, I wasn't sure about the overall composition yet. 

Then I found some photos I had taken last autumn at the beautiful Anchers Hus in Skagen, Denmark. Among these photos were images of the historic kitchen and utility rooms, which I thought would fit my composition nicely. So, I relocated my sewing woman to the very north of Denmark and boldly "moved" the monumental scullery sink to accommodate her chair and basket instead. Apologies to the house and for the historical and architectural inaccuracy! 

Placing her in this historical interior not only pays homage to Mancini but also connects to my Downstairs series. 

Additionally, I believe this must also serve as a tribute to the Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi, as I recently received some wonderful art books, including ones featuring his mysterious interiors. Coincidences don't exist.


I think I will call it "Downstairs 13". Or "Mancini's Girl in Anchers Hus"
Oil on canvas 40 x 30 cm, alla prima.

View the finished painting in my gallery.

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