Big Northview 2001

Lisa Yuskavage painted "Big Northview" with oil on canvas, and what grabs me first is the way she’s not afraid to go all-in on a super-lush palette. It’s like she's saying, “Let’s see how much we can get away with." Looking closer, you can see how the layers build up, like the paint itself is breathing. The surface is so smooth, so carefully blended. The way that light just oozes from the background feels both intimate and theatrical, like a private moment staged for an audience. I love how the brushwork around the figure is so delicate, almost shy, while the fabric has this unapologetic boldness. Yuskavage always makes me think of those old master painters but with a modern twist, like she’s having a conversation with artists across time, all while winking at the viewer. It's the kind of painting that embraces the push and pull between attraction and unease, and keeps you wondering long after you’ve walked away.