Apostles series
What connects us to the old masters is psychological truth.
In this series of paintings, Karen imagines her way into the scene presented in masterpieces by Caravaggio, Guercino and others. Taking on the role of one of the actors in the drama, and with a modern, graphic styling, she focuses purely on the expressive gestures of hands in order to convey the essential meaning of these critical moments of doubt and choice.
In this series of paintings, Karen imagines her way into the scene presented in masterpieces by Caravaggio, Guercino and others. Taking on the role of one of the actors in the drama, and with a modern, graphic styling, she focuses purely on the expressive gestures of hands in order to convey the essential meaning of these critical moments of doubt and choice.
Matthew (after Caravaggio), oil on canvas
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Judas (after Rembrandt), oil on canvas
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Thomas (after Guercino), oil on canvas
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Christ beckons gently to Matthew, whose immediate response, as his right hand still holds onto a forgotten coin, is an amazed 'Who, me?' (After Caravggio, The Calling of St Matthew)
Judas flings away the thirty pieces of silver in his agony of longing to take back what he has done. (After Rembrandt, Judas Returning the Thirty Pieces of Silver)
Thomas reaches out in doubt to an open armed Christ, as Peter looks on in appalled anticipation of a miracle. (After Guercino, The Incredulity of St Thomas)
By isolating the hands in a brilliantly illuminated space, the universal and timeless significance of their interplay emerges as the viewer meditates on their meaning. The point of view is of one of the participants but the sensibility is entirely contemporary.
Judas flings away the thirty pieces of silver in his agony of longing to take back what he has done. (After Rembrandt, Judas Returning the Thirty Pieces of Silver)
Thomas reaches out in doubt to an open armed Christ, as Peter looks on in appalled anticipation of a miracle. (After Guercino, The Incredulity of St Thomas)
By isolating the hands in a brilliantly illuminated space, the universal and timeless significance of their interplay emerges as the viewer meditates on their meaning. The point of view is of one of the participants but the sensibility is entirely contemporary.