Theodore Powys c. 1932

Curator: Here we have Augustus John's portrait of Theodore Powys, currently residing at the Tate. The support measures 616 by 514 mm. Editor: It has a rather melancholic feel to it. The brushwork is visible, almost raw. Curator: The visible brushstrokes, yes, but consider how they construct planes of light and shadow. The artist coaxes form from the material. Editor: I'm more struck by the materiality itself. The thick impasto suggests a rapid, almost urgent application of paint. What does this immediacy tell us about the work's creation? Curator: The composition leads the eye directly to Powys's face. The artist uses color to create depth. Note how the muted palette enhances the somber mood. Editor: The subject's clothing and backdrop suggest an intellectual or scholarly environment. The labor implied in producing those books and garments is inescapable. Curator: I see a meditation on form and structure. Editor: And I see a tangible connection to the world of labor and production. A worthy piece.