Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rob Sullivan
Consider how much more "bold" or "honest" Alice Neel's nude self-portrait at 80 would be if it were totally realistic, and not a caricature....
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Rob--
This is a FANTASTIC point to make, for realism's sake. Expressionists often like to think they have a corner on artistic "honesty."
Or even beyond this notion: What if she had given herself over to
someone else to portray her in the altogether?
I ask myself, which idea is more fearful, or takes more guts, having Alice Neel depict me nude at age 80, or say, Nelson Shanks?
Fortunately for you all, this will never be anything but a rhetorical question (whew!), but ask yourself this about yourself, and you'll get the point. Which is stylistically more truthful, finally?
--TE