Girolata 1964

Joan Mitchell made *Girolata*, a triptych, with oil on canvas. What's really interesting about this work is how Mitchell uses process to construct a way of seeing the world. The physicality of the medium here is so apparent; the paint is both thick and thin, transparent and opaque. You can almost see the ghost of her gestures, and the way she layered colors creates this vibrant, emotional experience. Take a look at the lower left of the left panel, the drips, those energetic marks that almost seem like they were flicked at the canvas. The movement in that area feels both contained and explosive, mirroring how the entire piece balances control and spontaneity. She reminds me a little of de Kooning. With both artists, there’s a sense of openness, a willingness to embrace the unexpected. For Mitchell, ambiguity and multiple interpretations were not just welcomed; they were the point.