Girl with her Eyes Closed 1944

Lucian Freud made this image, Girl with her Eyes Closed, with paint, brushes and paper. The way the paint is handled, loose and watery in places, but with these emphatic outlines in darker hues, makes me think about the relationship between drawing and painting. I find myself staring at the bold lines that define the girl's features, the heavy strokes of paint that form the contours of her face, especially those thick, almost cartoonish lashes. You can almost feel the pressure of Freud's hand as he applied the paint, decisive and unwavering. Then look at the background, how the thin washes of color create a sense of atmosphere. This contrast reminds me of the way Egon Schiele used line and color to capture his sitters. Ultimately, Freud leaves us with more questions than answers, inviting us to bring our own experiences and interpretations to the work. And that, I think, is the beauty of art.