Wilderness 2009

Lisa Yuskavage painted this fantastical diptych titled “Wilderness” using traditional oil paints on canvas. Yuskavage is well-known for her command of this medium, which stretches back centuries, and for her provocative depictions of the human figure. Looking closely, the artist builds up her images with layers of thin glazes to achieve a luminous effect. The paint application varies from smooth to brushy, creating contrasts in texture and depth. The smooth, almost porcelain-like skin of the figures, for example, contrasts with the rough texture of the rocky landscape. Yuskavage’s engagement with this classical painting method underscores a dialogue between art history and contemporary practice. By choosing oil paint, she situates her work within a lineage of master painters, while simultaneously pushing against this tradition with her distinct, contemporary vision. In doing so, she elevates the craft of painting, reminding us that art is as much about how something is made, as what it depicts.