Commonwealth 2008

Bo Bartlett painted this intriguing work, "Commonwealth," sometime after 1955 with oil on linen. It's dominated by a muted palette, primarily greys and yellows, which creates a somber, reflective atmosphere. The composition centres on a lone woman standing before a large, basin-like sink, her back turned, inviting us to contemplate her isolated world. The structural elements are starkly simple: vertical lines of the door frame and the figure contrast with the horizontal emphasis of the sink. The light, predominantly on the sink and the woman's back, pulls our attention to the centre, while the darkness surrounding them hints at a confined space, both physically and perhaps emotionally. Bartlett uses realism not just to depict but to dissect. The woman’s averted gaze is a structural device, a sign that could signify introspection, alienation, or perhaps a quiet rebellion against the viewer's gaze. This interplay between form and content challenges our easy assumptions, urging us to reflect on the complexities of identity and the self.