Sophomore at Bowdoin 1996

Jamie Wyeth painted this portrait, Sophomore at Bowdoin, with obvious affection. I'm wondering, did he persuade her to step onto those rocks, drape herself in that shawl, and pose, or did he just catch her like this? Either way, it feels very studied. She’s surrounded by dark, imposing rocks, yet lit from the front. This sets up a really interesting dynamic between her vulnerability and the permanence of the stone behind. Wyeth makes painting look so easy, but I know that it’s not! I can only imagine the sheer technical skill it took to arrive at this image. I think he invites us to participate in a world of symbols and storytelling, offering a way to connect with a tradition while also feeling very personal. I always think about how we, as artists, are constantly talking to one another across time and space.