Pasqualina De Vero, born on May 30, 1963, in Naples, Italy, relocated to Germany in 1981 and has since lived in Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and currently resides in Bad Vilbel. She is a painter, dancer, and writer. Under the pseudonym Lina von Wahr, she published her first book in German, “Die Auswanderung” (“The Emigration”), in 2015. From early childhood, she has been passionately interested in all forms of art. As a self-taught painter, she works with various media—including acrylic, pastel, and pencil drawing—on different surfaces, moving fluidly between abstract and figurative styles.

In recent years, Pasqualina has focused on pastel portraiture on lightweight KapaGraph boards, developing a central theme called “Women’s Images”, which comprises several series, each containing about ten paintings in formats ranging from A4 to 70×100 cm. These works explore not only the individual depicted but also society’s perception of these women. Each portrait is preceded by detailed biographical research, enabling her to form a deep connection with the subject and capture subtle nuances of expression. This approach reflects her own experiences as a woman and shapes her careful selection of models. The use of pastel on this particular surface allows her to convey qualities such as delicacy, expressiveness, and lightness.

Her meticulous process involves extensive work to portray every nuance until the desired expression and essence become visible and resonate with the viewer. The fragile nature of pastel also symbolizes impermanence: attempts to smudge the layers cause the “Women’s Image” to disappear as if it had never existed. Yet through their existence, work, and personal strength, all her subjects achieve a timeless presence, remaining vivid despite their physical absence.