Interior, Strandgade 30

Hammershøi, a Danish painter who made his reputation in the 1880s, is, without doubt, one of the most interesting artists of his times. The minimalist intimism of his interiors and the disturbing atmosphere that emanates from his apparently rigorous approach are sufficient proof of that. Hammershøi most probably invented the back portrait, as opposed to the existing full-face or side portraits. This seated woman—we cannot tell whether she is a maid or a member of the bourgeoisie, or even guess what she is doing—is intriguing because of her displayed indifference to the spectator. The silent figure has been brushed in a refined range of greys and browns, showing the artist's deep sensitivity to indoor atmospheres.