Spinoza 2016

Alexander Roitburd painted this piece, called "Spinoza", at an unknown date. Right away, you see how the somewhat slapdash brushstrokes, especially in the landscape, contrast with the formality of the subject. I love the way the thick paint creates texture, almost like frosting on a cake, but it's not too precious. Look at how the zebra's stripes are painted, each one distinct, yet flowing into the next. This direct approach to the material of paint is what makes it so engaging. And then, there's the sheer absurdity of the image, right? Spinoza, riding a zebra! It’s like Roitburd is winking at us, reminding us not to take anything too seriously, even philosophy. You can see some of the same playfulness in the paintings of Tal R., who, like Roitburd, is interested in the possibilities of color and image to suggest new ways of seeing. Ultimately, art is about embracing the unknown and finding joy in the unexpected.