After working in the abstract mode, experimenting with action painting and fashioning metal sculptures, Theo l’Herminez finally developed his own style in the early 1970s. His tranquil compositions are dominated by women placed against a calm, monochromatic background. Melancholy and cynical at first glance, these women offer much more upon closer observation: the semblance of youth which they attain with make-up and overly frivolous clothing cannot veil the first signs of decay. To capture the inner beauty shining through this façade –“telling the unspeakable”, in the words of l’Herminez: that's the real subject of the painting. As usual, l’Herminez places these two women in the middle of the composition. Their pale skin pops from the canvas against the artist's intentionally dark background. l’Herminez makes it abundantly clear that these women have been marked by life. The almost caricatural distortion, such as the elongated necks, extremely deep wrinkles, dyed hair and heavy eye make-up, has an alienating effect. Yet the fragility of these women still shows through the hard lines: the lady in the front sadly looks away while the other confronts the viewers with her critical look and tense mouth as she gives an open glimpse of the future. Education 1958 -1961: Fontys Art Academy (at the time of l’Herminez’s education: Academy of Fine Arts), Arnhem, NL (https://www.ing.com/ING-in-Society/Art/Search-in-Collection/Art-Display-On/Double-Woman-Portrait.htm)