Baccarat Dealer 1980

Editor: This is LeRoy Neiman's "Baccarat Dealer," created in 1980 using acrylic paint. It's a striking scene, full of energy and movement. What do you see in this piece that stands out from a materialist perspective? Curator: Immediately, the handling of acrylic jumps out. The thick impasto and vibrant colors suggest a rapid, almost performative process. Consider the shift from traditional oil painting and the increased availability and democratization of acrylics at this time. How does this choice of material reflect changes in artistic labor and the art market? Editor: That’s a really interesting point about the accessibility of acrylics. It’s not a medium associated with the elite. The scene depicted is also quite telling with a gambling environment and figures that would suggest wealth. Curator: Exactly. Neiman is capturing a leisure activity steeped in capital. How might the materiality of the painting, its quick, expressive application, intersect with the spectacle and consumption inherent in a Baccarat game? Does the gestural application of paint reflect the thrill, and risk, associated with the act of gambling? Editor: I hadn’t considered the paint application as mirroring the frantic energy. I see the bold colors and fast strokes adding to the overall impression of dynamism within a capitalist context. Curator: And beyond the individual materials, consider the context in which this was produced. The 1980s saw a surge in consumer culture and celebrity worship. Does the style and subject matter suggest an endorsement or a critique of the period's values through this medium? Editor: It makes you wonder about Neiman's position as an artist working within and commenting on that system. He’s not just depicting wealth but also participating in it by selling the depiction. Curator: Precisely. Understanding the materials and processes helps us unpack those complex relationships of labor, consumption, and cultural values inherent in this vibrant canvas. Editor: This perspective really deepens the meaning and lets us think about the piece critically beyond its surface.