V3 7) The Other Olympia

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on October 15, 2016 at 4:27pm

Curator’s Comments:

 

Charity and Greed is a compelling dichotomous image with its opposing statuesque figures.  I appreciated your notation below- their confrontation in the mirror does reference other allegorical figurations through art history for me, employing familiar and archetypical iconography. The bold primary hues in the piece express a certain kind of urgency or action, while also lending the painting a more contemporary feel.  I particularly like the red-green right half of the work, because of its contrasted saturation and chiaroscuro.  The feet also seemed poised, or readied for movement, while the reflected image is considerably more subdued.  I believed I’ve commented before on your other pieces that have a stronger satirical or cynical edge.  This piece by contrast deals with universal vices and virtue, and as such less emphasis is placed on the specific trappings of gender.  Looking back at those other paintings, I’m appreciative of The Other Olympia.  While the figure is not as scantily clad or titillating in pose as in related works, it is her assertive posture just beyond the bed that encapsulates palpable sexual tension.