The artwork titled “Andy Warhol” is a portrait by artist Alice Neel, created in the year 1970. Executed in oil on canvas, the painting is an exemplar of Expressionism, a movement that prioritizes emotional experience over objective reality. This portrait measures 60 by 40 inches (152.4 by 101.6 centimeters) and is part of the collection at the Whitney Museum of American Art, located in New York.
The artwork captures the subject in a candid and vulnerable state, employing a loose, expressive technique that is characteristic of Neel’s approach to portraiture. It features a figure seated on what appears to be a simple bench or sofa, with a plain background that draws the viewer’s focus to the individual. The use of color is notable for both its restraint and emotional resonance, with the skin tones rendered in a way that suggests fragility and humanity.
The expressionistic style is evident in the brushwork and the handling of the paint, which conveys a sense of immediacy and psychological depth. Alice Neel’s depiction allows for an intimate engagement with the subject, revealing more than just physical appearance, but also hinting at the personality and inner life of the individual portrayed.
