Couple in Bed 2017

Lisa Yuskavage painted this "Couple in Bed" with luscious oil paint, and what strikes me most is the psychological mood. I can imagine Yuskavage applying the muted flesh tones, one layer at a time, allowing the figures to slowly materialize from the somber background. There's a sense of vulnerability and intimacy, but also a touch of unease in the scene. The brushstrokes, especially around the faces, seem to search for a resolution, a way to capture the complexity of the human form and human emotion. I wonder if she was thinking about other artists who explored similar themes, like perhaps late Picasso or early Philip Guston? Looking at it, I get the feeling that Yuskavage is participating in an ongoing conversation with artists across time, taking cues from their work while also pushing the boundaries of figurative painting. It’s an exciting process to witness, this give-and-take between artists, inspiring new ways of seeing and feeling.