The Honorable Patti B. Saris, Chief United States District Judge, John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse, Boston, Massachusetts 2019

Here we see Daniel Greene’s portrait of The Honorable Patti B. Saris, likely painted in oil on canvas, given its smooth surface and the soft blending of tones. Look at the way the paint is carefully layered to create a sense of depth, particularly in the folds of her robe; it feels like the artist is building up the form gradually, almost sculpting it with color. There’s a subtle tension in this piece between the rich, warm browns of the background, and the cool blues of the chair. It’s a portrait that leans into tradition, with a muted palette that nonetheless has moments of surprising vibrancy, like that electric blue peeking out from behind her. Notice the small details, like the way the light catches the pearls around her neck, or the glint of her ring. It’s in these details that Greene really brings Judge Saris to life, capturing not just her likeness but a sense of her presence. This painting reminds me a little of those portraits by Alice Neel, in the way it balances respect and personality, capturing the essence of a person without being overly formal.