A good portrait continues to fascinate, and becomes richer with the passing of the years.
As a genre, the portrait has always occupied an important place in Michaël’s work. He has been painting self-portraits since he was fourteen, initially as a way of studying forms and proportions, later more as a way of penetrating to the soul expressed in outward appearance. To Michaël, the portrait is the supreme form of realism, for it contrasts with all other genres in that, in the interest of the likeness, every detail must be in perfect tune with the sitter. Besides, he says, a portrait will often harbour other genres within it in the form of landscape, animals or still life.
Michaël allows himself to be seduced into painting a portrait by his interest in and affection for the subject.