That is amazing! But when you consider his art, it really is not that amazing at all. For all of us are familiar with the scenes of people young and old walking around with hoods over their heads, headphones and wires hanging from their ears. And if you do see the eyes, they are closed. He's making a comment on our culture of of going inward, withdrawal and privacy. Modern day monks in a way. Meditative also. The question is this, is it sinister or is it good? Is it a problem or is it meditative and spiritual? In some cases you see only the hooded jacket knowing there is a person inside, hidden...
The other thing that's special is the work is hyper realistic. Like when you do see the person you "see" the person. Skin blemishes, every hair and freckle. No wonder they are hiding! Did they know when they sat for Karel it would be so revealing? And for us, It's like we are seeing to much. Almost embarrassing us as viewers, like we're invading their privacy and seeing too much even there in the gallery.
Even the jacket hoods are rendered with every detail evident, every fold, every stitch and strap with it's unique texture.
All this tells me that Karel is a very patient person. Patient with his hands and patient with his heart. There is a very important lesson here we should not ignore.
Thanks Karel.
as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes
and as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you.
So in like manner you must grow in patience
when you meet with great wrongs..."
Leonardo Da Vincy