©

Alice Neel

Geoffrey Hendricks and Brian

The formality of Neel's paintings allows us to observe how family members draw together tenderly or reluctantly, look away, touch one another, draw back, or open up. The play of hands in her work provides subtle visual rhythms and hints about the relationships portrayed. The hands of the harmonious couple, Geoffrey Hendricks and Brian, describe a loose circle across the canvas. They address the artist together. Neel's method of drawing on the canvas in blue, then painting around the drawing, shows up well in this double portrait. Neel only rarely included still-life elements in her portraits. Many artists have used fruits as emblems of female (and occasionally, male) sexuality--Gauguin comes to mind. Here, the bowl of fruit is both a domestic accessory and witty art--historical reference.