Rudolf Nureyev 1977

This is Jamie Wyeth's portrait of Rudolf Nureyev, painted with oils on canvas. Wyeth’s technique here is firmly within a Western painting tradition, not so different from what you might see in a history museum. Yet, the real story of this painting is in the body it represents. Nureyev’s physicality was the primary material of his art. His body was also his labor; it was how he made his living, how he expressed himself, and how he captivated audiences worldwide. Look closely, and you see the incredible discipline he must have maintained, day in and day out, at the barre you see here. But the art of ballet is itself a fascinating collision of “high” and “low”. It is a combination of grueling work, physical and mental, and an extraordinary spectacle for popular consumption. This painting reminds us that all kinds of making, whether in the studio or on the stage, are equally worthy of our attention.