The artwork, titled “Phyllis Rubin,” is a portrait created by the artist Alice Neel in 1952. This piece belongs to the art movement known as Expressionism and exemplifies the genre of portraiture.
The artwork depicts a young child seated on a chair against a richly colored background. The subject, likely a girl, is dressed in a light blue outfit with a white collar, evoking an air of innocence and simplicity. The child’s round face, framed by dark curly hair, is the focal point of the piece, with large expressive eyes that convey a sense of curiosity and engagement. The artist’s use of vibrant, contrasting colors and bold brushstrokes captures the essence of the Expressionist movement, emphasizing the emotional experience over realistic depiction. Alice Neel’s skillful rendering of the subject’s features and the texture of the surroundings highlight her mastery in conveying the inner life and personality of her subjects through portraiture.