Interior from Strandgade with Sunlight on the Floor by Vilhelm Hammershøi (Interpretation and Analysis)

Interior from Strandgade with Sunlight on the Floor
Source: WikiArt

Yesterday, I wrote about the work of French artist Felix Vallotton, who is known for his paintings of interior scenes. Although Vallotton’s style is very unique, his choice of subject matter was not. Danish artist Vilhelm Hammershøi, a contemporary of Vallotton, is also famous for his paintings of interior spaces (although the two men never met and their work is extremely distinct). So, today, I want to continue to discuss these images of domestic life and take a look at Hammershøi’s work.

His Interior from Strandgade with Sunlight on the Floor is a particularly startling image. Like all of his work, the painting can be described as a work of realism. Yet, the painting also pushes the boundaries of this style; his work captures spontaneous moments of everyday life, seemingly disconnected. While these moments feel random, they also convey a sense of deep, existential loneliness. The empty rooms, solitary figures, and muted, desaturated colors paint convey a sense of isolation, while also hinting at the severe and dignified serenity that can be found in this restrained world.

Paintings like Interior from Strandgade with Sunlight on the Floor leave much left unsaid. They seem almost incomplete, suggesting endless questions to the viewer. For example, what is the woman in the painting doing? Who is she? What does the door conceal? What scene might the window reveal? Hammershøi’s pared down composition manages to suggest much without revealing anything.

The mood in this painting is emblematic of the time; the early twentieth century was a period of upheaval, during which time many people challenged the fundamental values and social norms of their society. New philosophical ideas were emerging, including nihilism and Marxism. Hammershøi’s work captures this unsettled age, creating a sense of disquiet and questioning the traditional ways in which artists created meaning. More than one hundred years later, his paintings retain their strange allure, allowing new generations of viewers to wonder and question.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.