Somewhere in the world of Rembrandt and Hopper, I feel this is where Michaël Borremans’ paintings are conjured. Such a skilled painter he is who creates paintings which are far more than the sum of the parts. There is in his work the magic to make us dream. “The Angel,” for example, which is so beautifully painted, brings out to the viewer such a dream. Thoughts and questions begin to erupt like electrical sparks, kicking in words like sadness—unity—diversity—the time that we live in—the mixing of cultures, peoples, ages and sexes. And throughout, soaring out through this painting, a feeling of selflessly taking on burdens—love—and compassion.

This article originally appeared in Document’s Spring/Summer 2014 issue.