Heel, Sit, Stay 1977

Joan Mitchell created "Heel, Sit, Stay," a large-scale diptych, using oil on canvas. Mitchell emerged as a prominent figure in the male-dominated Abstract Expressionist movement. Her assertive brushstrokes challenged prevailing gender norms in the art world. The painting reflects Mitchell’s move to France, where she found artistic freedom away from the pressures of the New York art scene. This piece encapsulates the essence of her work, mirroring the landscapes of Vétheuil where she lived. It uses swathes of blue and green to evoke a sense of place, yet the gesture of abstraction allows Mitchell to capture a feeling or emotion, more than a representational likeness. Mitchell once said, "I carry my landscapes around with me." "Heel, Sit, Stay" invites us into her personal landscape, shaped by her experiences as a woman navigating the art world and her intimate connection to the natural world.