President Nixon 1999

This drawing of President Nixon was made by Pat Oliphant, using what looks like graphite or charcoal on paper. It has that great immediacy that comes when an artist really knows their materials. I love how Oliphant isn’t afraid to let the drawing be a drawing. The marks are bold, almost aggressive, mirroring the sharp features and piercing gaze of Nixon himself. You can practically feel the pressure of the charcoal on the paper, especially in those dark, looming eyes and the heavy shadow under his nose. The texture created by the side of the implement is fascinating because it is also used to shade the arms and jacket, and to convey a sense of depth. The drawing is stark, without much in the way of shading or detail, which makes the image feel both powerful and vulnerable. In a way, it feels like a Francis Bacon portrait of a suited ape, and this makes me think of other artists like Philip Guston, who also used simple, direct marks to convey complex emotions. It’s a reminder that art is always a conversation, building upon what came before and pushing us to see the world in new ways.