Portrait of Grandmother 1922

Archibald Motley painted this portrait of his Grandmother, probably in oil on canvas. There’s a way the subdued palette and the focus on form really lets you see the process of artmaking, how observation translates into strokes on the canvas. I’m really drawn to the way Motley handles the paint here, it's neither thick nor thin, but just right to convey the texture of skin and fabric. The light coming in from the side, casting a soft shadow, really makes her presence felt. Look at the details in her face, those tiny lines around her eyes, or the way her hands rest in her lap, there is such care given to rendering the effects of time. That dark brown brooch she’s wearing adds a striking focal point. The attention to detail and understated palette reminds me of Lucian Freud. Both painters share a commitment to realism but don't shy away from the imperfections and complexities of the human form. With this painting, Motley shows how art can really make us see and feel the weight of history and personal experience.