The Sheer Weight of History 1982

Eric Fischl created this painting, called 'The Sheer Weight of History', with oil on linen. The surface is smooth and the colors are muted, like old walls, but the theme is timeless. I can imagine Fischl building up the layers, adding detail to the marble, or using the flat brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and space. The painting captures a quiet moment of reflection in a museum. A figure crouches near the plinth. A sculptural form rests heavily on top of the plinth. The sculpture and the plinth appear to overwhelm her as the weight of art history presses down. Fischl has often looked to the past masters, reinterpreting classical themes through a contemporary lens. I find myself thinking about other artists who engage with historical forms, like De Chirico with his surreal architectural spaces, or Cindy Sherman, appropriating old master portraits. Artists are in an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas, inspiring one another's creativity. Fischl embraces ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations, which is what makes the work so interesting to look at.