Series 13: Whispers of Light and Shadow

Description with Historical Context: This series comprises eight paintings created using the sfumato technique — a delicate and refined method of oil painting on wood. The term sfumato comes from the Italian word meaning “smoky” or “blurred,” reflecting the effect the artist seeks to achieve: smooth, gentle transitions between light and shadow, without sharp contours or lines.

Historically, sfumato is closely associated with the Renaissance era and is considered one of the greatest achievements of masters such as Leonardo da Vinci. His renowned Mona Lisa is a classic example of sfumato, where the subject’s face seems enveloped in a soft haze, lending the image mystery, depth, and vitality.

Painting with sfumato on wood requires exceptional skill: the wood surface offers a unique texture and absorbs paint differently than canvas. Through layering multiple translucent glazes, the artist achieves a volumetric light effect, smooth modeling of forms, and atmospheric depth that seems to bring the image to life.

My works in this technique are a modern reinterpretation of ancient traditions, an attempt to unite classical sophistication with a personal search for the light and shadow that live within every image. Each canvas tells a story breathed through color and light, inviting the viewer into a space of silence and reflection.

Titles of the eight paintings:

1. Flower with Mushroom
2. Little Fish
3. Dragon
4. Apple I
5. Apple II
6. Pears with Apples I
7. Pears with Apples II
8. Flower with Butterfly