The artwork titled “Beauty Examined,” created by Kerry James Marshall in 1993, is a figurative piece rendered in acrylic and collage. Measuring 213.4 x 248.9 cm, it belongs to the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement. The work presents an intricate arrangement of visual elements, merging anatomical imagery with figurative representation in a composition that critically addresses themes of identity and beauty.
In “Beauty Examined,” the viewer is confronted with a black silhouette of a female figure lying horizontally across the lower section of the canvas. Above the figure, there are illustrations of anatomical drawings, a house-shaped object, and portraits of individuals with a high degree of stylization. The word “Exhibit” appears prominently at the top, while the text “SUBJECT / female blk. age 30, 5’3″ 148 lbs.” runs across the figure, imbuing the piece with a clinical and analytical tone. The backdrop of the artwork is filled with sketches, texts, and painterly elements that seem to dissect and scrutinize the concept of beauty. The artwork’s layered composition speaks to the complexity of identity and the scrutiny it is subjected to within societal contexts.
