Helene Schjerfbeck

Helene Schjerfbeck was interested in models with exotic looks. Even among the Académie Colarossi's models in Paris, there were many with interesting appearances. This Romani man was also impressively dressed with his headband and inspired Helene to paint in a more colourful and warm tone than usual, combined with a pale black background.

The model is probably dressed in a ceremonial performance costume, characteristic of his home region and tribe. The headband is adorned with round metal pieces with crescent-shaped decorations attached at the bottom. The golden colour of the headdress is enhanced by the fire-coloured scarf, painted with a broad brush, resting on the shoulder, and the narrow strip of the man's costume that accompanies the yellow hue of the headdress.

The Romani man has turned his face slightly upwards towards the painter. The face is rendered with particular nuance, the mouth is painted in a strikingly sensual manner, as is the look in the dark eyes.

For Helene Schjerfbeck, even the anonymous models were individuals with their own emotional lives, and this is how she portrayed them.

Leena Ahtola-Moorhouse