Oriental Woman 1990

Alexander Bogen's "Oriental Woman" is a painting made with oil paint, though we don't know when. Bogen’s brushstrokes are assertive, building the figure and the composition with layers of thick, textured paint. The palette, with its muted reds, ochres, and purples, creates a kind of hazy atmosphere, like a memory or a dream. Look at the way Bogen renders the woman’s shoulders and back. There's a rawness to it, an honesty in the way the paint is applied so directly. It's not about perfect representation but about capturing a feeling, an essence. The visible brushstrokes and the thickness of the paint invite you to consider the physical act of painting itself. The marks aren't trying to hide; they're part of the story. Bogen’s work shares a kinship with artists like Chaim Soutine, who also used expressive brushwork and color to convey intense emotion. What both artists remind us is that art isn’t about answers. It’s about questions, about the ongoing conversation between the artist, the artwork, and us, the viewers.