The artwork, titled “Genetiese Heimwee / Genetic Longing,” was created by Marlene Dumas in 1984. It belongs to the Neo-Expressionism art movement and falls under the genre of portraiture.
The artwork features a figure with striking, contrasting colors. The face of the subject is dominated by hues of grey and orange, effectively highlighting the eyes and the expression. The figure is depicted with a long, dark garment draped over their shoulders, blending into the shadowy, murky background. Their arms and hands rest on a surface, rendered in a mixture of earthy tones including yellow, orange, and red. The overall composition evokes a sense of deep contemplation and introspection, in line with the title’s implication of a profound, innate longing. The application of bold, expressive brushstrokes and the use of intense color contrasts are characteristic of the Neo-Expressionist style, emphasizing emotion and individual experience.
