Dana Gordon 1972

Alice Neel's portrait of Dana Gordon from 1972 is rendered in fluid brushstrokes of oil paint on canvas. Neel’s style is one of immediacy, capturing the sitter's presence with an honest and unflinching gaze. Consider the materiality of the paint itself, how the artist has built up layers of pigment to create depth and texture. Look at the way the colors blend and bleed into each other, giving the painting a sense of dynamism. Her strokes, applied rapidly, evoke a sense of speed and spontaneity, capturing the fleeting nature of the moment. This process speaks to Neel’s commitment to capturing the essence of her subjects, rather than simply creating a likeness. The painting's emphasis on the tactile qualities of the paint itself elevates the artist’s hand and labor, blurring traditional boundaries between painting and the more materially-focused crafts. Paying attention to materials and making allows us to appreciate its conceptual depth.