In his portraits Emil Nolde is less guided by the portrayed person's individuality but by the overall concept. The lively expression that determines the portrait and which becomes particularly obvious in the area around the eyes is attributed to a personality that must have impressed Nolde with its awake and intense charisma. The subtle coloring that Nolde uses for his characterization is owed to an intended avoidance of narrative details and is underlined by a wash in varying colors.