The Artist's Wife 1949

Alexander Bogen made this oil painting of his wife, sometime in the mid-20th century. I'm immediately drawn to the way Bogen has built up the surface with these small, deliberate marks. You can see the brushstrokes moving in different directions, creating a kind of shimmering effect across the canvas, especially in the rich and earthy colors. Imagine Bogen, standing before the canvas, mixing his colors, and carefully applying each stroke. I wonder if he knew where he was going when he started? Was it a struggle to capture her likeness, or did the painting emerge more intuitively? I find myself focusing on the gentle curve of her arms as she sits, so calm and composed. The green and red hues of the clothing give the painting an earthy and passionate feel. It makes me think of other artists like Alice Neel, who also explored the complexities of human relationships through portraiture. Ultimately, painting is an ongoing conversation – we're always learning from those who came before us and building on their ideas in our own ways. The act of painting embraces this kind of uncertainty, allowing for multiple perspectives and interpretations.