Oriental Woman 1990

Alexander Bogen made this painting, Oriental Woman, with oil paints. You can almost feel the pressure on her neck, the weight of the load she bears. Isn’t it interesting how Bogen uses these strokes of reds, pinks, and browns to convey the weight and warmth? I wonder what Bogen might have been thinking, what he was trying to convey. It reminds me a little of Modigliani, the way he elongated and distorted the figure. Except here, the texture is rougher, more tangible. That gestural brushstroke across the bottom of the skirt, it’s so alive! It’s like he’s trying to capture the spirit of the woman rather than just her likeness. When painting a figure like this, you’re not just painting someone’s picture, you’re painting someone’s world. It is like Bogen is chatting with other artists throughout history.