All Across I 2013

Aaron Nagel painted this piece, All Across I, sometime this century, and he appears to be using oils. It’s interesting how the approach to mark-making shifts. See how the figure is rendered in a more traditional, almost academic style, yet the black abstract elements seem looser, more gestural. It's like he's working with two different languages simultaneously, setting up a visual tension. Looking closely, you can really feel the texture of the paint, particularly in the figure's skin and the details of the jewelry. The black stripe dividing the composition is interesting because the paint application is very smooth. I wonder what it means? The contrast between the matte and glossy blacks creates a subtle play of light. It’s not just about what’s depicted; it’s about the physical presence of the paint itself. The juxtaposition of the real and the abstract reminds me a little bit of Francis Picabia, who was always experimenting with different styles and pushing the boundaries of representation. Ultimately, Nagel’s painting embraces this kind of ambiguity, inviting us to consider the layers of meaning and experience that coexist within a single work.