Heather 

Adrian Gottlieb, born in 1975, created “Heather” as an oil on canvas. Gottlieb works within a classical tradition, yet his art exists in a contemporary world where the gaze is fraught with power dynamics. This portrait, with its careful attention to the sitter’s features, invites us to consider the relationship between artist and model. Heather’s averted gaze grants her a degree of self-possession, while simultaneously positioning her as an object of contemplation. Gottlieb once said, “the beauty of a painting is a reflection of the beauty of the soul.” Does this painting reflect Heather’s soul, or the artist's perception of her? The dark background emphasizes her pale skin, highlighting historical associations of beauty with lightness. What does it mean to represent a woman in this way today? "Heather" offers a space to reflect on how traditional forms can be re-engaged to negotiate questions of identity and representation in our current moment.