Study for "Keith/4 Times" 1975

Chuck Close made these four images of Keith, we don't know exactly when, but they seem to be preparation for a larger work. They show his methodology and thought process, which is really fascinating. What you’re seeing here are four studies, each a photo of the same guy, pinned to a grid, with tape and notes stuck around them. The images are toned in blacks, whites, and grays, which creates a strong base for his process to unfold. Look at all the little decisions made visible! The tape, the grid, the handwritten notes—it's like a map of the artist's mind. Close isn’t trying to hide anything. It reminds me of Jasper John’s earlier work, where the process is just as important as the final image. There’s no one way to look at this, no single meaning. It’s about seeing art as an act of discovery, rather than just a finished product.