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I am somewhat puzzled at not being able to find any information on the web about the German artist Hemzel, who has a painting in the National Gallery of Art in London. My first thoughts are that I have memorized his name incorrectly, but don't think so. In any event, this artist has this painting that I saw in the Gallery earlier this week. I know this blog is going to receive a lot of hits 'eventually' because there is a dearth of information available about this artist. When I tried to find a reference for him in the Gallery bookshop, I came away with blanks. Look at what you get from a Google search of Hemzel. Possibly, the note under the painting spelt the name incorrectly. How strange!
Why should I be concerned about the obscurity of Hemzel? I am concerned because I liked his work. I could find only a single image of the artist in the National Gallery of Art in London, if you just happen to be there. I keep thinking that I must have done something wrong. Copied his name down incorrectly, or something. How can information about an artist in the National Gallery be so sparce, especially as he appears to have been such a good landscape artist?
What I liked about the image was the wonderful mix of colour and detail. He was obviously interested in representing real space and could capture detail very well. His image, which I can't show because photography in the National Gallery of Art in London is not allowed ... which only helps to keep some great artists obscure. It would seem!
A few things about his image! Hemzel seems to be able to get croud scenes to look like croud scenes, even crouds of leaves on trees seem like crouds of leaves on trees. The colours are vibrant and the image memorable. Well, if like me, you appreciate that sort of thing.
I'll give you a clue. The Hemzel painting is in the same room as a nude image by the Italian artist Hayez. The Hayez picture is awesome, if only because of the way the eyes of the nude follow you. Very entrancing and seductive, which is exactly what the artist intended. Obviously, Hayez knew much about the psychology of art.
One thing to note. The internet image of the Hayez painting is rubbish compared with the real thing. The only way that you will enjoy the image for its beauty is by visiting the National Gallery of Art in London and viewing it. Be there! I might just be standing nearby admiring also, the Hemzel image!
