Phil 1976

Chuck Close's 1976 work "Phil" is a stunning example of his signature grid-based portraiture. Using a painstaking process, Close meticulously renders the image of his friend Phil by applying small squares of color, creating a mosaic-like effect that evokes a sense of both realism and abstraction. The grid system provides a framework for Close to carefully consider each section of the subject's face, highlighting the texture and detail of the human form. This technique is a testament to Close's masterful control of both realism and abstraction in his art.