The Cop 1968

Editor: Right now, we’re looking at Benny Andrews’s “The Cop,” painted in 1968 using acrylic on canvas. It’s… striking. The portrait is very textured, almost sculptural. The subject has these intense eyes, peering over those thick glasses, and his expression, frankly, seems a bit… unsettling. What do you see in this piece that I might be missing? Curator: Well, it's funny you say "unsettling." That’s exactly the vibe Andrews was going for, I think! You know, 1968 was a powder keg of social unrest in the US. Andrews, with his Social Realist tendencies, really captured that raw energy. For me, the aggressive brushstrokes—almost violent— speak to the tension in the air. Notice how the blues aren't peaceful but strained, anxious, even. Does that come across to you? Editor: I see that. I hadn’t considered the almost violent brushstrokes before, but now they seem incredibly intentional. It definitely adds to that feeling of tension. So, is it purely a critical commentary? Curator: I think there’s a deep sense of humanity woven in, believe it or not! He invites you to consider perspectives, even ones you disagree with. Is it a comfortable painting? Absolutely not. But is it powerful? Absolutely! It practically screams for a reaction. Editor: It definitely does. It is less about the cop, more about the artist expressing emotion. Curator: And maybe it holds up a mirror, and asks what that emotion says about us, too? Thanks for helping me to think out loud! Editor: Anytime, thanks for your insight!