Satchmo 1962

LeRoy Neiman made this painting of Satchmo with thick strokes of paint, like he's sculpting the canvas rather than just coloring it in. It’s all about capturing a moment, an energy. Look at how Neiman builds up the face, a mosaic of mauves, yellows, and blues. Each dab feels spontaneous, part of a process. The paint is applied so thickly you can almost feel the energy of the music radiating from the canvas. The dark, almost violent strokes around the figure make you feel like Satchmo is not just playing music, but battling to express himself. Neiman’s work reminds me of a jazzy take on some of Kokoschka’s portraits. Both artists aren't just painting a face; they’re trying to capture a whole vibe, a feeling. It’s like they’re saying, “Here’s a person, yes, but also a whole world of sound and emotion."