Discovering the Layered Life of Helene Schjerfbeck at the Met
For those who rarely get to experience art for the first time, without any preconceptions or images clouding their view, an encounter with a painter's work can be nothing short of exhilarating. Such was my experience when I walked into the exhibition "Seeing Silence: The Paintings of Helene Schjerfbeck" at the Met.
The Finnish artist has never been shown in the U.S., and her only previous exhibitions were in Sweden and Finland. Her paintings are mesmerizing, requiring slow and silent absorption all great art deserves. The show features 40 self-portraits, spanning over four decades, offering a glimpse into the life of an artist who continually experimented with materials, pushing herself to exhaustion.
Born in Helsinki, Finland in 1862, Schjerfbeck's talent was evident from an early age. She began painting at 11 and by 17 had received a travel grant for her work. Her time in Paris influenced her style, as evident in her use of bold colors and loose brushstrokes. However, it was her quiet interiors that dominated her palette, implying activity without revealing too much.
The exhibition is arranged chronologically, allowing viewers to witness the evolution of Schjerfbeck's development. From her first self-portrait at 22 to her final one at 83, a year before her death, we see an artist grappling with illness, civil war, and personal doubts. Despite these challenges, she continued to paint, often with charcoal, watercolor, gouache, and tempera mixed with oil.
Schjerfbeck's teaching career was marked by exhaustion and disillusionment, while her time caring for her mother provided a respite from the world. Her dealer brought her magazines featuring contemporary painters, including El Greco, which inspired her to adopt his palette of white, black, yellow ochre, and cinnabar.
The show features 20 self-portraits created in Schjerfbeck's final two years, during which she was ravaged by stomach cancer and physical decay. These paintings are shocking, harrowing, and deeply honorable. They depict an aging face, drooping eyes, pursed lips, and thinning hair, all heavily worked with oil, tempera, and charcoal.
At 82, Schjerfbeck remained steadfast in her passion for painting until her death two years later. Her easel and paints were placed beside her bed, a testament to her dedication. The Met's show is astonishing, showcasing the range of subjects and techniques, as well as fearless experimentation. Seeing this exhibition was revelatory, especially since Schjerfbeck had never been shown in the U.S. before.
The exhibition is on view through April 5, 2026, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
For those who rarely get to experience art for the first time, without any preconceptions or images clouding their view, an encounter with a painter's work can be nothing short of exhilarating. Such was my experience when I walked into the exhibition "Seeing Silence: The Paintings of Helene Schjerfbeck" at the Met.
The Finnish artist has never been shown in the U.S., and her only previous exhibitions were in Sweden and Finland. Her paintings are mesmerizing, requiring slow and silent absorption all great art deserves. The show features 40 self-portraits, spanning over four decades, offering a glimpse into the life of an artist who continually experimented with materials, pushing herself to exhaustion.
Born in Helsinki, Finland in 1862, Schjerfbeck's talent was evident from an early age. She began painting at 11 and by 17 had received a travel grant for her work. Her time in Paris influenced her style, as evident in her use of bold colors and loose brushstrokes. However, it was her quiet interiors that dominated her palette, implying activity without revealing too much.
The exhibition is arranged chronologically, allowing viewers to witness the evolution of Schjerfbeck's development. From her first self-portrait at 22 to her final one at 83, a year before her death, we see an artist grappling with illness, civil war, and personal doubts. Despite these challenges, she continued to paint, often with charcoal, watercolor, gouache, and tempera mixed with oil.
Schjerfbeck's teaching career was marked by exhaustion and disillusionment, while her time caring for her mother provided a respite from the world. Her dealer brought her magazines featuring contemporary painters, including El Greco, which inspired her to adopt his palette of white, black, yellow ochre, and cinnabar.
The show features 20 self-portraits created in Schjerfbeck's final two years, during which she was ravaged by stomach cancer and physical decay. These paintings are shocking, harrowing, and deeply honorable. They depict an aging face, drooping eyes, pursed lips, and thinning hair, all heavily worked with oil, tempera, and charcoal.
At 82, Schjerfbeck remained steadfast in her passion for painting until her death two years later. Her easel and paints were placed beside her bed, a testament to her dedication. The Met's show is astonishing, showcasing the range of subjects and techniques, as well as fearless experimentation. Seeing this exhibition was revelatory, especially since Schjerfbeck had never been shown in the U.S. before.
The exhibition is on view through April 5, 2026, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
I went to see Helene Schjerfbeck's art show at the Met and it was life changing 
! Her paintings are like windows into her soul, you can feel the emotions and struggles she went through in each one. The fact that she continued painting even when her body was failing her is so inspiring, I mean I would have given up by now 
. And her use of color is amazing, it's like she's speaking directly to your eyeballs 
. I love how the show takes you on a journey through her life, from her early days as an artist to her final years struggling with illness. It's a reminder that art can be both beautiful and brutal at the same time 
. If you get a chance to see this show, do not miss it! 
also, i love how the exhibit shows her journey as an artist and a person, it's like you're witnessing her growth and struggles alongside her work 
And those final self-portraits?! 
They're so hauntingly beautiful they'll leave you speechless. I mean, who knew being ravaged by stomach cancer could be so inspiring? 
And the best part? Her dedication to painting right up until the end. I mean, who places their easel beside their bed for comfort?! 
The Met needs to get all the props for curating this show - it's like a symphony of Schjerfbeck's life played out in front of us 
.
. have you ever tried making matcha at home? it's not as easy as it looks, trust me 
It's amazing to see how art can be both beautiful and raw at the same time.
It's like she found this inner strength that inspired her art even when everything else was falling apart.
, don't miss out!
. her use of colors is so bold and beautiful too! i especially liked the self-portraits from her final years, they're like a window into someone's soul. anyway, if you haven't seen this exhibit yet, u gotta go! it's only on view until april 2026, so don't miss out 