Azure 

Adrian Gottlieb created this painting, "Azure", as an oil on canvas. Gottlieb is a contemporary artist working within a long tradition of portraiture, and this painting invites us to consider what it means to represent women today. The woman’s pale skin and the composition recall classical paintings. Yet, she wears a distinctly modern, floral dress, and the dark background contrasts with her luminous skin and jewelry. Her direct gaze conveys a sense of self-possession. We might think about how Gottlieb is playing with conventions of beauty. The reference to “azure” in the title may point us to the Virgin Mary, so often depicted in azure robes, further complicating the dialogue between ancient and modern. Overall, this is a thought-provoking piece that encourages us to question the artistic conventions and cultural values that shape our perceptions.