Figure 1951

Yiannis Moralis made ‘Figure’ with paint on canvas; you can see the year, 1951, etched in the top left corner. I wonder if Moralis was in love with the figure in the painting. I wonder if this is why the colors are so tender and delicate. The tones of brown and red in the background are earthy and soft against the pinky-beige of her skin, and the way the dark hair falls around her face feels intentional, even thoughtful. What a gentle, peaceful scene, really. I think of other painters who have painted figures; maybe Moralis was thinking of them too. Maybe he was inspired by their work, and maybe he was trying to do something new. And now we are looking at it, years later, thinking about Moralis, and his painting. What a beautiful, ongoing conversation it all is.