Viggo Johansen

Step into the world of Peder Severin Krøyer with his captivating portrait, Viggo Johansen. This intimate oil on canvas painting, a treasure held within the Skagens Museum, offers a glimpse into the vibrant artistic community of Skagen in 1887. Measuring a modest 30 x 34 centimeters, the work is surprisingly powerful in its impact. nn The painting is a striking profile portrait of Viggo Johansen, a fellow artist within the Skagen Painters' colony. Krøyer masterfully employs chiaroscuro, a dramatic contrast between light and shadow, to sculpt Johansen's features. Johansen's face, rendered in warm browns and reddish-browns, is illuminated from the right, highlighting the texture of his beard and the planes of his face. This light dramatically contrasts with the dark, almost black, flat cap he wears, which casts a shadow across his forehead and the left side of his face. The muted, light greyish-white background further emphasizes this contrast, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. nn Krøyer's technique is evident in the visible brushstrokes, particularly in the loosely painted background, which suggests a hazy atmosphere. His style is painterly and expressive, characteristic of his work and indicative of the broader artistic trends of the time. The focus is purely on capturing Johansen's likeness and conveying his character through the skillful manipulation of light, shadow, and color. The portrait is a straightforward yet deeply expressive representation of a fellow artist, capturing a fleeting moment in time with remarkable skill. This intimate portrait, a testament to the bonds within the Skagen artistic community, is a must-see for any visitor to the Skagens Museum.