Concealed and Revealed
Part 2


 

Faltengebirge 1993

The stylistic influences upon his nudes vary: the fashionable and exotic paintings of the "belle époque" being one, and the delicate and melting grace of the early 1900's another.
The hourglass bound body of "Madame X", an homage to Singer Sargent, is a direct reference to the “fin du siecle”. The appeal of Kissmer’s nudes is often immediate. His attention to detail is remarkable, with a style and form uniquely his own.

 

Recognition and Suspension
Kissmer’s Composition and Themes

Some become favorites, being used over and over again. Kissmer arranges the fabric like a stylist. Working at small details until his imagination is satisfied. Texture is crucial. It is the texture of the fabric against the skin that captivates the artist’s imagination and forms the basis of his aesthetic sensibility. Upon completing the model, a black and white photograph is made to document the composition and to act as a record.
The color of the fabric used is negligible, as the color in the picture is based on feelings and has no reference to reality. The tones of any painting or etching are decided upon as the work takes form, the artist’s palette consisting of earthtones with highlights of deep burgundies and intense shades of aquamarine blue.

The size and shape of the picture are then considered. If the subject is a torso, the tendency will be towards his trademark long and narrow format. When the torso is the focus of the work, the extremities are hidden within the margins. Face and hands, arms and legs are placed out of sight. This type of composition, the most distinctive of Kissmer ‘s work, is itself the basis for the artist’s themes of restraint and expression.
Through these omissions, the artist invites the viewer to question the relationship between the painter and the model. He opens a visual dialogue about the male artist and his construction of the female form, a dialogue that is as much about what is revealed in wonderful detail as what is omitted.
The draped forms present confident women who display their bodies with pride and mystery. Often her proud, straight posture accentuates the breasts. The sensual forms are central, revealed through the fabric, enticing and provocative, demanding the viewers’ attention.

Im roten Hemd The consistent reference to the female nude, especially the torso, has made a long and narrow format Kissmer’s preferred picture size. These works, whether frontal, dorsal, or reclining, typify his oeuvre. He does, however, present numerous other subjects and shapes with marvelous results. His typical composition is created through a unique coupling of life model and fabric. He prefers to cover the female body in a timeless fashion, avoiding any reference to fashion or trends. Textiles of silk are preferred, the thinner the better. The sheer fabric must allow the form of the underlying body to show through. Often the fabrics are found while travelling, others, like the slip used in “Seide” (Silk), are second hand classics.