André Romijn’s Portrait of Mariah is a compelling oil painting that captures both classical discipline and contemporary presence. At first glance, the viewer is struck by the directness of the subject’s gaze—a calm yet quietly assertive confrontation that suggests strength beneath the softness of her features.
The artist employs a refined, naturalistic approach reminiscent of 19th-century portraiture, yet the painting avoids pastiche by allowing subtle modernity to breathe through the composition. The restrained palette—muted greys and warm flesh tones—centers our attention fully on Mariah herself. Her auburn hair flows with understated movement, gently framing a face that seems on the verge of speech. The expression is enigmatic: thoughtful, slightly defiant, and tinged with vulnerability.
Romijn’s handling of light and texture is notable. The skin has a luminous quality, the brushwork controlled yet expressive. Especially striking is the rendering of the elongated neck and collarbone—a passage that evokes elegance, fragility, and perhaps a conscious nod to Klimt or Modigliani. Yet unlike those predecessors, Romijn resists stylisation; his Mariah remains grounded, human, and tactile.
The background is sparse and unmodulated, allowing no narrative distraction. This decision enhances the psychological focus of the portrait. Mariah is presented not in a moment of action or as an archetype, but as an individual whose inner life is hinted at rather than explained. In this, Romijn reveals his trust in the viewer’s imagination—and in the silent power of paint.
Oil on paper, 29.5 x 29.5 cm
