The artwork titled “MARILYN ‘Portrait 10’” was completed by Olivier Messas in the year 2019. This piece is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 39.4 by 39.4 inches. The genre of the painting is classified as a portrait, and stylistically, it aligns with a semi-abstract movement, which suggests a fusion between the representational and the abstract.
Upon examination, the artwork evokes the essence of a human visage through a vibrant and dynamic composition. The use of colors is both bold and varied, with the palette comprising an array of hues that intermingle across the canvas. The brushstrokes are thick and expressive, contributing to a sense of movement and texture. While the subject’s facial features such as the eyes, nose, and lips are discernible, they are abstracted through the artist’s use of fragmented shapes and the juxtaposition of colors, creating an effect that is both fragmented and cohesive.
The eyes, being the most defined aspect of the portrait, draw immediate attention, punctuated with whites and outlined with darker tones, providing a sense of depth and focus. The artwork exhibits a juxtaposition of warm and cool tones, suggesting the complexity and multidimensionality of the subject’s identity. The semi-abstract nature of the work invites viewers to interpret and engage with the piece, beyond the immediate recognition of a portrait. Overall, Olivier Messas creates a portrait that is simultaneously familiar in its representational form and intriguing in its abstract execution.
