Portrait of GN and Tofu 2020

Aaron Nagel painted "Portrait of GN and Tofu" with oils, and I can only imagine the care and attention it took to create such a tender scene. Look at the way GN gazes at us, with Tofu nestled lovingly in her arms. I think about the artist hovering over the canvas, trying to get the exact right shade of pink for her hair, the glint in Tofu’s eyes. The paint looks thin, worked into the canvas, but it’s built up layer by layer to create a sense of depth, especially in the faces. I'm moved by the sensitivity and intimacy in this painting, but also the humour of the feline face. Nagel's work seems rooted in tradition, yet he's clearly making it his own. He’s playing with the Old Masters, but bringing a modern sensibility to it all. Ultimately, it reminds us that we're all part of a long chain of image-making and storytelling, each generation building on what came before.