Frau mit Eisbecher 1978

I see Dieter Asmus made this painting, Frau mit Eisbecher, with oil paint, though when is anyone's guess. The surface has a glazed effect, that smooths out all the brushwork. You could be forgiven for thinking it was airbrushed or even printed. That slickness gives it a cool, detached feeling. Not unlike a Warhol screenprint. The woman herself is posed mid-laugh, gold-skinned and reaching out to something, perhaps a joke, maybe even you? In front of her is a silver ice cream coupe. I love the intense red ground; it’s like she’s lit by some strange stage light. You can almost smell the theatre makeup. It reminds me of Alex Katz, who also had a knack for capturing a scene in one perfect, frozen moment. It could be the start of something, or maybe it’s already over. Who knows?