Ole Ahlberg has created a universe where the baroque symbols, such as peeled lemons, hourglasses, unlit candles, and skulls, have been replaced by a more contemporary repertoire. The most obvious difference being between things and people from the “real” world contra comic strip characters. His many scantily-clad women, swans, porcelain objects, and clouds are painted in a very convincing lifelike manner while the comic strip characters, mainly taken from Herges’ Tintin, are painted with a clearly defined outline that makes them appear flat on the canvas. A difference that is almost tangible.

By Tom Jorgensen