Mariano de la Paz Graells 2016

Alejandro Cabeza made this oil painting of Mariano de la Paz Graells. There’s a looseness to the brushstrokes, especially in the background, that suggests Cabeza is thinking through the act of painting as he goes along. It’s this emphasis on process that gives the work a feeling of immediacy. The painting is really about color and texture. Up close, you can see how the surface is built up with layers of paint, thick in some areas, thin in others. Look at the cheek, see the way the pinks and reds are dabbed on, almost like little dots. It’s this play of light and shadow that brings the face to life. It's an ongoing conversation with artists like John Singer Sargent, who also sought to capture the fleeting essence of a person through bold, expressive brushwork. Ultimately, this painting reminds us that art is not just about capturing a likeness, but about the act of seeing, feeling, and thinking.