Rückenfigur - A Powerful Artistic Effect That Puts You in the Painting

 

"Best Friends" by Gerard Bianco

Rückenfigur is the German word that translates to Back Figure, or figure from the back. An artist has the option of painting people from the front or from the back, which begs the question: why would an artist paint a person from the back? Is it because he has trouble painting features? Are his noses always too long? Are the eyes in his portraits always pointing in opposite directions?

No, not typically. The reason an artist paints a person, or people from behind is to create an atmosphere of wonder, both in the person being painted, and in the person gazing at the painting. Having the viewer think about what is going through the mind of the subject in the painting puts them in direct communication with the subject’s thought process. The viewer suddenly becomes one with the subject in the painting, which causes an impactful psychological effect upon the viewer.

No longer are you, the viewer, looking at a typical portrait, thinking that this person is handsome or beautiful in their glowing gown, or looking courageous in their uniform, and so on. Instead, looking at a Rückenfigur painting invites you to deliberate upon the emotional state of the subject. Is the subject feeling lonely, are they longing for someone or something, are they contemplating their future, are they in emotional distress, or are they considering an act that would be totally out of their character? What is the subject of this painting thinking?

The interesting consequence of this technique is the variety of opinions people have as to what the subject is thinking. Another fascinating aspect of this composition is that your opinion of what the subject is thinking depends on what’s happening in your life at the time you first see the painting. Looking at it again later when your life has changed will, many times, change your thoughts as to what the subject is thinking.

My painting above, titled, “Best Friends,” is an example of Rückenfigur. What is the gentleman thinking as he sits gazing out at the sea? Is he thinking about his future? Has he lost someone dear to him? These are questions you may ask yourself.

My painting, “Twilight” is another example. It’s obvious that the couple is not a young couple. What is it that they’re thinking about as they gaze upon a hazy, shadowy sea?

There are many fine examples of Rückenfigur created by masters that you’ll find in museums. Below is “Young man at a Window” by Gustave Caillebotte in the Getty Museum is a great painting and a super example.

Another example is by Johan Christian Dahl in the Metropolitan Museum of Art titled, “Two Men Before a Waterfall.”

"Young Man at a Window" Gustave Caillebotte
"Two Men Before a Waterfall" John Christian Dahl

On your next museum visit, see if you can find a Rückenfigur painting. Now you can talk about it and impress those you’re with.

Happy Painting!

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