llse von Bertrab

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I love painting portraits of strong women. African women, people of mixed race and of exotic origin.  The African continent have shaped my perception of beauty.  A portrait is not just a visual but also reveals something about the essence of the person. What the portrait reveals may not be completely obvious - it can be implied through a certain expression or pose, an included object, or the use of color.  A portrait painting can function as a biography - telling the story of that person's life. When looking at a portrait painting, ask yourself: 

What do the details in this artwork tell me about this person's life?  Examine things like:

• Facial expression

• Gesture or pose

• Setting 

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( click on selected images below for information/details )

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