London-Boyo

Comment

Comment by Bryan Prillwitz on January 12, 2021 at 7:26pm

Two colors for an oil painting? Or 3? That's how I was taught. Exquisite! 

Comment by Resident Curator on January 17, 2015 at 5:50pm

Curator’s Comments: 

 

This androgynous head, London Boyo, emerges for me as somewhat of a standout piece in its notable absence of superficial adornment, and ambiguity of gender.  Many of the other accompanying portraits reveal a decidedly feminine persona or characteristic guise with flowing hair and pigmented lips and eyes.  Whereas Queen of the Sea is seductively iconic with her liquid crown of aquatic animals and bubble pearls, London’s expression is a beguiling combination of straight on confrontation, meeting the viewers gaze with dreamy heavy-lidded eyes and rouged, pursed lips.  She lures the viewer into the picture frame, but the closely cropped scene is also clean and unencumbered.  It leaves little to the imagination.  I especially like the pale coloration of her skin as the creamy warm tints work their way into the background sky. The hint of a naturalistic landscape contrasts the rather formal shirt and jacket collar. I sense freshness in her face that is reassuringly refined and clear.