Old Woman - Chaïm Soutine

A raw, expressive portrait by Chaïm Soutine, featuring heavy brushwork and a sombre, earthy palette that captures the psychological weight of the sitter.

Chaïm Soutine is known for his visceral approach to portraiture, a style that prioritises emotional weight over anatomical precision. In this work, the subject is seated, her hands clasped firmly in her lap. The composition is dominated by the physical presence of the figure, whose form is distorted by the artist's rapid, agitated brushwork. Soutine uses a palette of earthy browns, ochres, and muted teals to construct the space around the sitter, creating a sense of claustrophobia that presses inward.

The figure's face is rendered with heavy, impasto strokes that suggest weariness and age. Her features are not merely observed but felt, with the paint applied in a manner that conveys the texture of skin and the tension of the pose. Soutine often sought out subjects from the margins of society, and here he captures a sense of isolation that is characteristic of his work during his time in Paris. The chair, painted in a cool, contrasting blue-green, acts as a frame for the sitter, anchoring her within the otherwise ambiguous, warm-toned background.

This print captures the raw energy of Soutine's original oil painting. The surface of the work is defined by the physical movement of the brush, which remains visible in the final composition. By rejecting the smooth finish of academic painting, Soutine allows the viewer to see the process of creation. The result is a portrait that avoids sentimentality, focusing instead on the immediate, tangible reality of the human subject. It is an example of the artist's ability to transform a simple domestic scene into a study of psychological intensity, using colour and form to communicate a specific, sombre mood.