Portrait of Pegeen 1943

Richard Pousette-Dart made this painting, Portrait of Pegeen, with oil on canvas, and the result is a dense, layered world of glyphs and marks. Imagine Pousette-Dart in his studio, surrounded by his collection of tribal art, spiritual texts, and the residue of his process - the tubes and brushes. The painting feels as if it emerged slowly, each layer a response to the previous one, building up a rich, complex surface. The palette is restrained - blues, reds, yellows, blacks and whites – but the overall effect is luminous. I feel a kinship with Pousette-Dart. I understand his process, his desire to tap into something ancient and universal. I feel a pull towards the intuitive, to create images that are open-ended and suggestive. The single sinuous yellow brushstroke is a bold statement. Pousette-Dart, like all painters, was in conversation with the artists who came before him, and those who would follow. He embraced uncertainty, knowing that true expression lies in the willingness to explore and experiment.