Mrs. George (Sarah) Goldsmith 1985

Andy Warhol made this portrait, Mrs. George (Sarah) Goldsmith, at an undetermined date, likely using his signature screen-printing technique. Warhol’s images are never simple likenesses. In this work, Mrs. Goldsmith’s face is powdered and masked, making her somehow ethereal and ghostly. It’s a reminder that painting doesn't just record; it transforms. I imagine Warhol, fascinated by celebrity and surface, layering color upon color, pushing the boundaries of portraiture. The bright red lipstick against the pale skin creates a stark contrast, drawing our eye and making us wonder about the person beneath the image. This piece makes me think about other artists, like Elizabeth Peyton, who capture something raw and intimate in their portraits. All of these artists are in conversation, exploring how an image can capture more than just a face. Each brushstroke or printed layer adds a layer of meaning, inviting us to see the world in new ways.