Anonymous III

Anonymous III and IV draw inspiration from Arne Svenson's photographs titled Unspeaking Likeness, captured during a journey between the United States and Mexico. These black and white photographs showcase reconstructed portraits of murdered and mutilated individuals. These reconstructions are done at the behest of judicial authorities to help identify victims who have been rendered unrecognizable. The eerie presence-absence of these portraits is chilling, and the framing further emphasizes their unsettling nature. The connection to photography is also subtly highlighted by the delicate reflection visible in the pupils.

A prominent figure in painting over recent decades, Luc Tuymans is recognized for his use of a limited color palette. He takes images from magazines or films and reworks them into independent representations, crafting what he calls "authentic fakes." Each piece stems from a pre-existing image that he lets develop until he's ready to paint it, always within a 24-hour period. These works aim for a degree of emotional detachment and a sense of distance from reality. Tuymans explores the hardships of the human condition: from the mundane evil concealed within a glance to the necessity of confronting the concept of death. Anonymous III made its debut at the "Ouverture" exhibition at the Bourse de Commerce in 2021.