Studio Interior with Torso, Vase, Chair and Nude 1970

Robert De Niro, Sr. made this painting, "Studio Interior with Torso, Vase, Chair and Nude," with oil on canvas in the 70’s. The way he's approached these simple forms is so off-the-cuff, kind of slap-dash! You can tell that for De Niro, painting was about the process. I love the way the orange of the figure really pops, it's so bold against the muted blue background, right? Look closely, and you'll see how he layers the paint, wet on wet, smudging and blurring the edges. This creates a real sense of depth and atmosphere. See that dark line that defines the nude’s side? It’s not precise. It’s loose, almost like a scribble. This is where the painting really comes alive for me. It’s like he's saying, "I'm not trying to trick you into thinking this is real; this is paint, this is me, this is the act of seeing." I'm reminded of other artists like Fairfield Porter or maybe even Milton Avery, who captured the quiet beauty of everyday life with this same kind of sensitivity. For De Niro, painting wasn't about perfection but about capturing a fleeting moment, an emotion, a feeling.