Caroline Bingham (1938–1998), Biographer and Historian 1965

In 1980, John Bratby made this portrait of Caroline Bingham with what looks like juicy oil paint. He’s really going for it, laying down these thick, clotted strokes. It’s like he’s sculpting her face right onto the canvas. You can almost feel the energy he put into each brushstroke. Look at the way he’s built up the color around her eyes— greens and yellows fighting with the flesh tones. It's not exactly flattering but it’s honest, you know? There’s a real intensity in her gaze, like she’s seeing right through you. The orange hair is amazing. Bratby reminds me a little of Auerbach, in his commitment to process, the way he lets the paint be itself. This is not about beauty, but truth, and it's great. Art is always a conversation, right? We just keep adding to it.