Portrait of a Tiger
Portrait of a Tiger | oil on canvas | 70x50cm
“On a white canvas, I shaped a fur and fire.
Shades of black, from coal to ink, gave it depth and contrast,
making it look like a fierce shadow, a predator of the past.
I also splattered some red, to evoke some blood and danger
The result is a painting that reveals the power and ferocity of a tiger
Inspired by the myths and legends of this majestic creature.”
Description
In “Portrait of a Tiger”, a 70×50 cm oil on canvas, Svetlana Vuksanović moves beyond her usual topographical themes to explore the “portrait” through a feral, abstract lens. Rather than a literal rendering of the animal, the artist captures its raw energy and elemental palette—a translation of power into paint.
The composition is uniquely framed by soft, vertical pillars of pale blue on the left and right, which act like a window or a theatrical proscenium, pushing the central amber field toward the viewer. Within this sun-drenched core, the “tiger” is suggested through rhythmic, staccato black marks. These gestural strokes serve as a visual shorthand for stripes or the predatory glint of an eye, creating a sense of movement across a thick, impasto surface.
The work is grounded by a heavy horizontal band of terracotta red at the base, separated by a sharp, singular black line. This provides a structural weight that feels physical and earthbound, balancing the more ethereal, light-filled upper registers. The texture is characteristically rich, with layers of oil scraped and rebuilt to evoke the tactile sensation of weathered hide or sun-baked earth.
