Brooklyn Bridge c. 1990s

LeRoy Neiman made this painting of the Brooklyn Bridge with big blocks of pure color, building up the image from a kind of abstract patchwork, a method that treats the subject almost like a collection of sensations. Looking closely, the paint is applied really thickly, with visible strokes and textures; you can almost feel the energy of the artist's hand as he worked. Neiman doesn’t try to hide the process, instead he amplifies it. I’m drawn to how the light seems to dance across the surface of the water, created with quick, vibrant strokes of blues, greens, and yellows. These marks aren’t just descriptive, they are expressive and capture the movement and reflections in a way that feels both chaotic and harmonious. Neiman’s gestural approach reminds me a bit of Joan Mitchell’s abstract landscapes. Both artists use color and brushwork to convey a sense of place and emotion, embracing the messy and unpredictable nature of painting. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about perfect representation, but about capturing a feeling or an experience, leaving room for the viewer to bring their own interpretations.