The decorative viewer might quickly pass by this work featuring a Mexican bowl, but the art eye immediately recognizes that this is a masterpiece. Henk Helmantel shows his best side here. It is not the composition, nor the color scheme, but rather the absence thereof, that draws the viewer into the work. It is as if the work, through its layering and depth, is an archaeological find itself.

How does Henk Helmantel manage this? First, the primer is applied to the masonite in three thin layers of paint. The first layer of oil paint is applied to a pencil drawing. In a second layer with more paint substance, texture is applied with regular strokes of a palette knife. In the third layer, all attention is focused on the subtle transitions of light and shadow. In the fourth layer, the final details are locally brought to the correct level. Take another look at the Mexican bowl. Or better yet, view it in person, for the depth that makes this a Masterpiece can only be admired in real life.