
Study Event : Helene Schjerfbeck
Join tutor Clare Wilson at the Royal Academy of Arts London on Sunday 13 October 2019.
We will be visiting the Helene Schjerfbeck exhibition – the first UK retrospective of this painter of extraordinary talent.
Highly regarded in Finland but less well known here, the show offers a survey of 70 paintings, including a series of emotive and quite mesmerising self portraits. The earliest of these is a sensitive portrayal of the artist at twenty two years of age, in a later work she is eighty two and depicted in just a few dark, angular lines.
The exhibition also includes Cezanne inspired still life studies, luminescent landscapes, and some delicate interiors she made while studying in St Ives, Cornwall.
Her application of paint is rigorous – building up the surface, sanding back, reworking with brushes and palette knives. This gives the work a slightly restless quality, and an intensity that is emphasised by subtle tonal shifts and contrasts.
The exhibition visit provides an opportunity to view and reflect on the work of an important 19th/20th Century artist who really explored the possibilities of painting.
Request a place by completing the form here.
Please note there is a £10 booking fee for this event.
Image Credits
Helene Schjerfbeck Self portrait 1912
Helene Schjerfbeck Still life with blackened apples 1944
|
Really looking forward to this – she seems such an unusual artist definitely before her time , so really interested to see the work in the flesh
Yes Sarah, she does seem ahead of her time. I was quite amazed by the intensity of the portraits – they have a really haunting quality. And she used colour and tone beautifully. Looking forward to seeing you there! Clare
Hi Clare I loved her work especially the self portraits – I have finished writing up my notes see link
https://sarahdrawing2.wordpress.com/2019/10/18/helene-schjerfbeck-at-the-royal-academy-study-visit-review-and-refelction/
Thanks
Sarah
Really loved this exhibition, particularly her self-portraits. Want to join you but may not manage on the day. Am booking anyway
Hi Jill, yes its worth a second visit – I’m looking forward to seeing it again. Hopefully see you there! Clare
Thanks Clare
I really enjoyed the exhibition and have finally written up my notes
https://sarahdrawing2.wordpress.com/2019/10/18/helene-schjerfbeck-at-the-royal-academy-study-visit-review-and-refelction/
See link