Charlemagne, 18x18x1.5 inches oil on stretched canvas by Kenney Mencher
FREE SHIPPING
This is an original work of art NOT a print
Shipping takes 3-4 Weeks
My oil painting Charlemagne is an 18x18-inch piece on stretched canvas with a depth of 1.5 inches. The portrait features a contemporary interpretation of what Charlemagne might have looked like, based on a combination of historical references and a modern face that caught my attention. The painting is executed in the alla prima technique, meaning it was completed in one session while the paint was still wet. The brushwork varies in thickness, with bold, expressive strokes capturing the texture of the skin, hair, and clothing. The background remains loose and undefined, allowing the focus to stay on the subject’s face. The color palette includes natural skin tones, muted earth tones, and subtle highlights that enhance the sense of depth and structure.
This piece connects to my ongoing interest in portraiture, a fascination that started when I was young. I’ve always been drawn to painting faces, something that goes back to a junior high school teacher who first introduced me to facial proportions and structure. Later, during high school, I studied under Irwin Greenberg and Max Ginsburg in their early morning atelier, where we painted from live models and learned about historical painters like Rembrandt, Velázquez, and Sargent. These experiences shaped my approach to portraiture, blending traditional techniques with a more direct, expressive application of paint.
In this case, I was particularly interested in reimagining Charlemagne, one of the most significant figures of the Middle Ages. While historical records give us only stylized representations of his appearance, I wanted to approach this as a character study, envisioning how he might have looked in a more naturalistic way. This painting also ties into my work as an art history instructor, where I’ve been revisiting ancient and medieval art, including coinage and sculptures that depict historical rulers.
This painting is on deep stretcher bars, so framing isn’t necessary, though it can easily be framed using standard 18x18-inch frame kits. The edges can be left raw or painted to match the artwork. The piece reflects my broader practice of exploring history through contemporary faces and quick, expressive painting techniques. It’s part of my ongoing effort to merge historical themes with modern interpretations in portraiture.
FREE SHIPPING
This is an original work of art NOT a print
Shipping takes 3-4 Weeks
My oil painting Charlemagne is an 18x18-inch piece on stretched canvas with a depth of 1.5 inches. The portrait features a contemporary interpretation of what Charlemagne might have looked like, based on a combination of historical references and a modern face that caught my attention. The painting is executed in the alla prima technique, meaning it was completed in one session while the paint was still wet. The brushwork varies in thickness, with bold, expressive strokes capturing the texture of the skin, hair, and clothing. The background remains loose and undefined, allowing the focus to stay on the subject’s face. The color palette includes natural skin tones, muted earth tones, and subtle highlights that enhance the sense of depth and structure.
This piece connects to my ongoing interest in portraiture, a fascination that started when I was young. I’ve always been drawn to painting faces, something that goes back to a junior high school teacher who first introduced me to facial proportions and structure. Later, during high school, I studied under Irwin Greenberg and Max Ginsburg in their early morning atelier, where we painted from live models and learned about historical painters like Rembrandt, Velázquez, and Sargent. These experiences shaped my approach to portraiture, blending traditional techniques with a more direct, expressive application of paint.
In this case, I was particularly interested in reimagining Charlemagne, one of the most significant figures of the Middle Ages. While historical records give us only stylized representations of his appearance, I wanted to approach this as a character study, envisioning how he might have looked in a more naturalistic way. This painting also ties into my work as an art history instructor, where I’ve been revisiting ancient and medieval art, including coinage and sculptures that depict historical rulers.
This painting is on deep stretcher bars, so framing isn’t necessary, though it can easily be framed using standard 18x18-inch frame kits. The edges can be left raw or painted to match the artwork. The piece reflects my broader practice of exploring history through contemporary faces and quick, expressive painting techniques. It’s part of my ongoing effort to merge historical themes with modern interpretations in portraiture.
FREE SHIPPING
This is an original work of art NOT a print
Shipping takes 3-4 Weeks
My oil painting Charlemagne is an 18x18-inch piece on stretched canvas with a depth of 1.5 inches. The portrait features a contemporary interpretation of what Charlemagne might have looked like, based on a combination of historical references and a modern face that caught my attention. The painting is executed in the alla prima technique, meaning it was completed in one session while the paint was still wet. The brushwork varies in thickness, with bold, expressive strokes capturing the texture of the skin, hair, and clothing. The background remains loose and undefined, allowing the focus to stay on the subject’s face. The color palette includes natural skin tones, muted earth tones, and subtle highlights that enhance the sense of depth and structure.
This piece connects to my ongoing interest in portraiture, a fascination that started when I was young. I’ve always been drawn to painting faces, something that goes back to a junior high school teacher who first introduced me to facial proportions and structure. Later, during high school, I studied under Irwin Greenberg and Max Ginsburg in their early morning atelier, where we painted from live models and learned about historical painters like Rembrandt, Velázquez, and Sargent. These experiences shaped my approach to portraiture, blending traditional techniques with a more direct, expressive application of paint.
In this case, I was particularly interested in reimagining Charlemagne, one of the most significant figures of the Middle Ages. While historical records give us only stylized representations of his appearance, I wanted to approach this as a character study, envisioning how he might have looked in a more naturalistic way. This painting also ties into my work as an art history instructor, where I’ve been revisiting ancient and medieval art, including coinage and sculptures that depict historical rulers.
This painting is on deep stretcher bars, so framing isn’t necessary, though it can easily be framed using standard 18x18-inch frame kits. The edges can be left raw or painted to match the artwork. The piece reflects my broader practice of exploring history through contemporary faces and quick, expressive painting techniques. It’s part of my ongoing effort to merge historical themes with modern interpretations in portraiture.
