The artwork “Hyphen,” created by Jenny Saville in 1999, is a product of the Neo-Expressionism art movement. It falls under the genres of figurative and portrait art. This piece is a striking representation characterized by its bold and raw depiction of human figures, capturing the nuances and complexities of human flesh through a textured and impasto technique.
In this artwork, two closely placed faces appear intertwined, depicting a visceral and almost haunting portrayal of the human form. The subjects are painted with pronounced brushstrokes, employing a palette dominated by various shades of pinks, reds, and whites. This technique amplifies the physicality and raw emotion conveyed by the figures. The expressions on their faces, coupled with the exaggerated use of light and shadow, create a poignant and introspective mood. The treatment of the skin features, such as the redness and the apparent tension in their muscles, suggests a deeply intimate and almost confrontational examination of bodily presence and identity.
