Krefeld Project Living Room Scene 3 2002

Eric Fischl made this painting with oils, and there's a real push-and-pull of darks and lights. You can see how this painting came into being, shifting and emerging through trial, error, and intuition. I think Fischl is saying something about modern malaise. Maybe he's thinking, "How can I show the unspoken tensions in everyday life?" The paint is thin, almost watery in places, which gives a sense of unease. The woman in the red robe has these outstretched arms. Is she embracing the world or warding it off? And the guy on the sofa looks lost in thought. It reminds me of other painters like Balthus, who also captured these kinds of silent dramas. Artists are in an ongoing conversation, inspiring one another’s creativity. Painting embraces ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations. It makes you wonder, doesn't it?