The parting of Hector and Andromache #5 2010

Alexander Roitburd made this painting, "The Parting of Hector and Andromache #5", using oil paint. It's like he's digging into something primal here. The earthy palette, a mix of fleshy tones against that stark black, feels raw, visceral. Looking at the surface, the paint has a really tactile quality. It’s almost sculptural in places, creating this push-and-pull between the figures and the void. There is some intense mark-making at play: the artist uses broad strokes and impasto techniques that build a sense of urgency and emotion. Those little touches of pink, like delicate wounds, amplify the fragility of the scene. This piece reminds me of the emotional intensity you see in some of Francis Bacon's work, but Roitburd brings his own distinct sensibility to the canvas. Like all great art, it leaves you with more questions than answers, doesn't it?