Johannes Greenberg

(1887-1951)

Composition. 1940-1944

Oil, canvas. 110.5 x 135.5 cm (framed)
price 28 000

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The work is mentioned in the Late Latvian monograph "Johannes Greenberg 1887-1951" (1990) in the list of preserved works of J. Greenberg on page 83 and reproduced on page 64, it was also exhibited at Greenberg's personal exhibitions in EKM in 1965 (cat) and 1987.
The work comes from the collection of Olga Terri

The painting, part of the collection of Johannes Greenberg's student Olga Terri, is one of the most striking in Greenberg's entire oeuvre. The work, which has appeared repeatedly in exhibitions and was included in Greenberg's monograph, is a large-scale figural composition that is inspired by the melancholy and thoughtfulness that is so characteristic of Greenberg. At the same time, each face can be taken as a separate type, and we can view the work both as a whole and in parts. Each portrait tells its own story, but Greenberg is suggestive—he doesn't give us too many clues about the people, so we can reinvent their stories each time we look at them. Greenberg's characteristic style of painting is exceptionally elaborate and layered - colors glow, shine through, overlap. Working in this way, Greenberg has achieved a rarely seen intensity, where every square centimeter is painted through - and yet the overall picture is also clearly drawn.
The title of the painting suggests the gloomy state of mind of the assembled people, but Greenberg has managed to generalize it into an existential melancholy.

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Appearance in exhibitions