The Queen of Naples 1993

Maria Bozoky made this striking portrait, ‘The Queen of Naples’, using watercolour and pencil, and I am particularly drawn to how the figure emerges from a swirling vortex of marks and washes. The red of her dress feels both assertive and vulnerable, pooling and bleeding into the paper, as if the queen is slowly dissolving before our eyes. Look at her face, how sketchily it is rendered! Bozoky seems less interested in capturing a likeness than in exploring the drama of paint itself. The way she’s flicked blues, greens and reds across the picture plane, particularly in the background, gives the impression of a storm brewing. But the details, such as the delicate lace collar and the feathered headpiece, hint at refinement. It makes me think of other artists who revel in the messiness of paint, like Francis Picabia, who wasn’t afraid to let his materials dictate the terms. Like him, Bozoky creates a space where representation and abstraction collide. There's no right or wrong way to see it, just an invitation to get lost in the process.