August 17th 1998

Susan Rothenberg painted “August 17th” using oil on canvas. Here, we can see how Rothenberg combines an almost monochromatic background with some distinct bold marks, which we slowly recognize as a pair of lobster claws. The oil paint is applied in many layers and directions, creating a rough texture and adding depth and complexity. The painting looks like a raw work. The layering of the colors creates a rich and tactile surface, almost as though the artist is sculpting with paint. The orange hue and the gestural brushstrokes evoke warmth and intensity, creating a sense of movement and energy. Rothenberg's piece blurs the boundary between representation and abstraction. The painting embodies an active working process, where the material properties of the oil paint itself are central, which is far from the slickness of industrial production, inviting us to reconsider what exactly a painting can be.