The Mirror 1966

Fairfield Porter's The Mirror is a painting that captures a domestic interior, a mirror reflecting a figure, and a girl sitting in front. Looking at it, I imagine him considering how we see ourselves, literally and figuratively. The girl's direct gaze is intriguing and the painting has this quiet, still energy. Porter was drawn to the everyday, much like his contemporary, Elizabeth Bishop, and was influenced by artists such as Vuillard and Bonnard. The painting’s surface feels quite flat, and the colors are naturalistic. I wonder about the light and how it bounces off the mirror and illuminates the room. What I like most about the image is how the artist has considered various elements to create an intriguing and enigmatic composition. His work reminds me of the ongoing conversation artists have across time and how we are always in dialogue.