“Portrait of Dag Hammarskjold,” created in 1962 by Ben Shahn, is an evocative expressionist work rendered on wood. This portrait is part of the Expressionism movement, and its genre is portraiture. It is currently housed in the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Sweden.
The artwork features a contemplative Dag Hammarskjold, depicted with a pensive expression. He is shown seated, resting his chin on his hand, which suggests deep thought. The background is abstract, with a mix of swirling black and bluish hues, providing a stark contrast to the figure in the foreground. Detailed, intricate scribbles, possibly representing text or abstract thoughts, are prominent in the lower part of the composition. The hues and tones of the background create a sense of depth and texture, emphasizing the solitary figure of Hammarskjold. This piece by Ben Shahn is a profound representation of introspection and the human condition, characterized by its expressive style and symbolic use of color and form.
