Denby, Edwin 06-22-65 1965

Curator: Don Bachardy rendered this stark portrait of Edwin Denby in 1965. The drawing captures the poet in a moment of quiet intensity. Editor: The linear quality is fascinating; the shading on the face creates such depth, yet the rest remains almost skeletal, all sharp angles. It feels raw. Curator: Bachardy was known for his prolific portraiture of cultural figures, and Denby, a celebrated poet and dance critic, circulated within similar artistic circles. This piece reflects their shared cultural landscape. Editor: The high contrast pulls the eye directly to Denby's gaze. There's an unsettling feeling of direct observation. Curator: It's a testament to Bachardy's skill in capturing not just likeness but also the emotional tenor of the subject within a specific cultural and historical framework. Editor: Indeed, it's compelling to consider the formal aspects, but I am mostly captured by that gaze.