George Washington c. 1936

This is Edward Grant's watercolor of George Washington, made sometime between 1855 and 1995. There's something so exposed about the underdrawing – like, before the painting is finished, all the secrets are out. The thin washes of color let the light bounce around, creating a real sense of volume in his coat, trousers, and, yes, even his hair! Take a look at the figure on the far left of the image. It's just a study for proportion, not really trying to conceal its process, as if to say, Hey! Look how this thing is constructed! The artist wants us to be in on the fun. I’m reminded of the unsentimental portraits by Alice Neel, who also used an economy of line and color to create images of everyday people that are raw, vulnerable, and totally unforgettable. Painting at its best is when we get to see all the seams, all the hidden parts that make the whole thing work.