Art historians often compare and contrast images to begin a
conversation concerning two works of art.
This winter I visited the de Kooning: A Retrospective exhibition at the
Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the more I gazed at the massive
paintings of de Kooning’s women, the more I wished I could see them next to one
of the many versions of Picasso’s Weeping
Woman. I chose this comparison
to begin My Art Notes because I believe these paintings can raise some
interesting questions concerning the relationship between the artist and model
and between the painting and beholder.
For example, are these women sad, angry, or terrified? Should we fear them, or do they fear
us? Both Picasso and de Kooning
have painted similar subjects, albeit each employing their own formal
styles. It amazes me that both of
these paintings evoke a similar mood in their depiction of an anxious, almost
monstrous female. Yet each image
is quite beautiful. Note de
Kooning’s lovely pastel palette and Picasso’s careful curling of his woman’s
hair and eyelashes.
For more on de Kooning: A Retrospective-
For more on Picasso’s Weeping Woman-
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