The Baroque is generally an area I focus less on, but when I first saw work of Maes it felt special. His works often have particularly rich shades of red, and have a very soft quality to it.
This work is a joy to unpack. In the centre, a maid invites us to watch the other maid standing in the hallway. As she is occupied by a suitor, the cat at the right has free rein to steal food, while the company at the top left is wondering when their refills are arriving. Together with the beautiful rendering of the spaces in the house, it is a captivating scene.
Stilleven met eieren
1935
Dick Ket
This work displays beautifully why the still live is the precursor to abstract art. Judging the work just by the objects it represents literal trash. Yet, the shapes, colours, and textures together make a beautiful composition.
Especially the rendering of the paper is wonderfully done. The text is devoid of meaning as it transforms into just another interesting shape. The smooth eggshells offer variety in the sea of sharp angles.
Trostomaten
2005
Ina van Zyl
While the subject of this work may be mundane, it is drawn into the unfamiliar by its size and odd cropping.
The plastic is rendered in a naturalistic manner. It’s easy to envision the material; the rustling sound, the smooth surface. It’s very different from the actual painting that is rather coarse, almost flaky. It has an uncanny quality to it.
Waterval in Noorwegen
1871
Alexander Wüst
Contained on a small canvas is the power of nature. A waterfall rushes on, surrounded by a desolate landscape with a dead tree. Two birds flying by are the only signs of life, following the roiling stream out of the frame.
