Artwork
Sulking
Sulking is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Périclès Pantazis. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1875, *Sulking* is an oil painting by the Greek expatriate Périclès Pantazis, who worked primarily in Belgium during the late nineteenth century. The work exemplifies his engagement with the Impressionist tendency toward fleeting moments and the nuanced treatment of light, and it is presently part of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents an intimate portrait of a man and a woman positioned close together. The woman, placed on the left, rests a hand on her chin, her gaze directed inward, suggesting contemplation. The man, on the right, turns his face slightly away, his expression ambiguous, inviting viewers to consider the interpersonal tension or private dialogue implied by their posture.
Technique & Style
Brushwork remains loose enough to convey the immediacy favored by Impressionists while retaining sufficient definition to render the subjects’ expressions.
Pantazis employs a restrained palette dominated by dark tones, allowing the illuminated faces to emerge with pronounced contrast. The handling of light creates subtle chiaroscuro, modeling the features and imparting a three‑dimensional quality. Brushwork remains loose enough to convey the immediacy favored by Impressionists while retaining sufficient definition to render the subjects’ expressions.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, where it remains on display. Pantazis, a notable figure in the Belgian Impressionist circle, died in Brussels in 1884, leaving a modest but significant body of work that includes this piece.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Périclès Pantazis (Greek: Περικλής Πανταζής, Periklis Pantazis; 13 March 1849, Athens – 25 January 1884, Brussels) was a major Greek impressionist painter of the 19th century who gained a great reputation as an artist initially in Belgium.
