Alden Brooks 1916

Roderic O’Conor made this painting, Alden Brooks, using oil on canvas. Look at how O’Conor layers these blues and purples, setting the stage for our guy Alden. It feels like the painting came into being gradually through trial, error, and intuition. I can imagine O’Conor stepping back, squinting, and then lunging forward to add another dab of paint. I wonder what he was thinking when he made it? The paint isn't super thick, but you can feel the texture, especially in the face, giving it a real presence. The dark lines and contrasting brushstrokes of the face communicate the feeling, intention, and meaning of the whole work. The painting reminds me of other portraits from that time, a real conversation between artists. It shows how artists are always exchanging ideas, inspiring each other across time. Painting isn't about fixed meanings, but more about ambiguity and letting things unfold.