55 - You work in a classical style and in this collection of paintings you bring together the contemporary figures with the classics of Caravaggio’s work. What was your inspiration for doing this? Henrik - In the beginning, when I was learning to paint, I copied all sorts of older paintings. It is a common practice to do this in order to learn about light brush strokes, composition, things like that. For some reason I got hooked on Caravaggio, initially- without really thinking more about it. But after some time I realised that his paintings contain a lot of what I enjoy. The more I painted, the closer I became to his paintings, and at a certain point I started to understand that I wanted to bring his works into the art of today. Compared to the first time that I discovered his paintings, I now understood so much more of his art. Although Caravaggio´s paintings are from the 16th century, it is striking that much of what he portrays – the emotion and expression – is still current in today’s society. 55 - Who are the contemporary portraits that you place against the classic Caravaggio, and why? Henrik - The modern people that I create in the paintings are often a mixture of different people I have seen, or just from my imagination. For some reason I feel that he or she, more often she, would get on well with that classical
painting. Usually I choose a Caravaggio painting first, searching for a feeling, a reaction or a state that I want to create. Thereafter, the modern person emerges. Sometimes it takes time before the contemporary person comes onto the images. The interaction between the older painting and the modern person is important and can take time to emerge. It can sometimes be difficult for a viewer to see how the subject is linked, but there is always a connection. 55 - Working in a more classical style, it is important to have fresh ideas. What are your views on this and what inspires you both classically and contemporarily? Henrik - I fully agree. In order to make art interesting you have to think fresh. Whether my paintings can be described as that is of course up to the viewer. But my intention is that the meeting between the old and the new is something that adds value to the paintings. Although the old and new may seem different, there are many interfaces and my intention is that the meeting of the two will make new experience. I really like the classical expression and idiom. An older painting initially may seem pretty harmless, but often contain provocative symbolism and hidden messages. In many older paintings, the idea can also be very strong with clear messages or feelings that the painter wants to convey. In modern paintings I do