Figure 1951

Yiannis Moralis made this painting, 'Figure', using thin layers of paint that let the canvas breathe. It's all about process, that dance between the eye, the hand, and the subject. Notice how the pinks and creams of her skin tone are applied in broad, flat strokes. There's a tenderness in how he builds her form, a tactile, almost sculptural feel. The paint isn't trying to hide itself; it's right there, a skin of color laid bare. Look at the little pop of blue on the table, next to her arm. It's like a spark, a moment of pure painterly joy. That single brushstroke does so much work! Moralis reminds me a bit of Giorgio Morandi, in that both artists were invested in an ongoing exploration of their surroundings, teasing out the beauty in the everyday. I love the way this work embraces its own making, offering multiple ways of seeing and experiencing this intimate scene.