“Joe Gould,” an oil on canvas painted by Alice Neel in 1933, belongs to the Expressionism art movement and fits within the genre of nude painting (nu). This particular artwork is part of a private collection.
The artwork portrays a nude male figure seated against a vibrant red background. The figure displays a wiry physique and is rendered with exaggerated and elongated features, characteristic of the Expressionist style. The subject sits with legs spread wide apart, hands positioned on the knees, exuding an air of nonchalance and introspection. The artist’s name, “Neel,” along with the subject’s name and the year of creation, “Joe Gould 1933,” is inscribed prominently at the lower part of the canvas. The raw and honest portrayal reflects a powerful, albeit unconventional, exploration of human vulnerability and resilience.
