gorget 2014

Curator: Here we have Aaron Nagel’s “gorget,” an oil painting from 2014. My first impression? Introspective, melancholic, and intensely present. Editor: Absolutely. There’s a contemporary sensibility blended with classic portraiture. I’m particularly drawn to how the visible brushstrokes almost disrupt the realism, grounding it in a modern context. Is that raw edge at the base meant to appear unfinished? Curator: I find it quite compelling. That raw, almost brutal edge could represent a psychological vulnerability, a moment of raw exposure just beneath the surface. Her gaze seems to evade ours, further enhancing the sense of introspection. It’s a brilliant use of fragmentation. The very definition of "gorget" refers to a piece of armor protecting the throat – her’s seems almost painted on, or a fluid armor. Editor: That connection between armor and exposure is key. The 'gorget' itself takes on new meaning here; not protection, but perhaps a kind of fluid mask, a performance of identity. Look how the bare canvas is part of the composition, making you think about artistic convention itself, the way we look at art and construct narratives. Nagel subverts portraiture’s historical role of representing power and status. Curator: Precisely. Think about how portraits of nobility historically used rigid poses and carefully constructed symbolism. This… this feels much more personal and ambiguous. Her face becomes a landscape of quiet resistance. Editor: Yes, even the pink highlights in her hair bring that element into focus: subtle rebelliousness or simply a personal stylistic choice, yet they steer away from conventional beauty. This ambiguity serves to empower the subject. We aren't told her story. Curator: Considering Nagel’s other works, the figure's near androgyny and detached expression seems like it could speak volumes about contemporary anxieties regarding selfhood and identity. Her expression is subtle enough for one to imagine the internal monologue, something raw or exposed, an emotional landscape being created that extends well beyond the boundaries of the painted form. Editor: A poignant and resonant piece that plays with layers of meaning. The portrait reclaims individual agency, using its stark rawness. Curator: Absolutely. It encourages us to reflect on the fragile construction of identity and presentation. Editor: In a world saturated with curated images, "gorget" invites us to confront the complex interplay of vulnerability and strength.