Times Square II 2015

Patrick Pietropoli painted this version of Times Square with oils in a way that captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by visual information, wouldn't you say? Look at the texture! It feels like he’s built up these layers and layers of paint in shades of grey and beige – it’s almost sculptural. This isn't about clean lines or perfect representation, but more about the process of seeing and trying to capture the essence of a place. There’s a real tension between realism and abstraction, especially in the way he handles the light. Notice the blurred edges, the muted palette, and the way the buildings seem to melt into the sky. All of this is very reminiscent of Gerhard Richter's paintings of urban landscapes, with their ghostly atmospheres and sense of transience. It's like he's saying that the city is always changing, always in flux. And, of course, there's no single, correct way to see it.