Kitty Pearson 1973

Alice Neel painted Kitty Pearson, an oil on canvas portrait, in 1973. Neel was committed to representing the psychological realities of her sitters, and here she presents Pearson nude but for a large hat, seated on what appears to be a patchwork quilt. Neel painted portraits throughout the 20th century in New York. During that time, the art world saw the rise of abstraction, minimalism, and pop art. Neel remained committed to figuration, painting people from all walks of life: artists, writers, activists, and members of her local community. Her commitment to social realism and her unflinching portrayals of the human form stand in stark contrast to the prevailing artistic trends of her time. To understand Neel's artistic choices, we can turn to historical resources such as her letters and interviews, along with critical analyses of her work. This allows us to appreciate not only her technical skill but also the social and cultural context in which she operated, revealing the depth and complexity of her artistic vision.