Alice Neel PORTRAIT OF A GIRL... Screenprint, Signed Edition

#7 / 200

Artist/Designer; Manufacturer: Alice Neel (American, 1900-1984)

Marking(s); notes: signed twice (once in plate, once in pencil); ed. 7/200 Materials: screenprint Dimensions (H, W, D): 26.75"h, 20.75"w; 33"h, 27"w frame 

Full title of the work is "Portrait of a Girl in Blue Chair."

Provenance: Private Collection, Boyton Beach, Florida.

Condition very good.

Alice Neel (1900–1984) was an American painter known for her portraits, which captured the essence and personality of her subjects with raw honesty and emotional depth. She was born in Merion Square, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Colwyn, Pennsylvania. Neel studied at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now Moore College of Art & Design) before moving to New York City in 1926.

Neel's early work was influenced by the social realism movement of the 1930s, and she became associated with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression. She painted scenes of urban life, often depicting the struggles of working-class people. However, it was her portraits that garnered her the most acclaim.

Neel's portraits were characterized by bold colors, expressive brushwork, and a penetrating gaze that seemed to delve into the psyche of her subjects. She painted people from all walks of life, including friends, family, fellow artists, activists, and neighbors. Her subjects ranged from prominent cultural figures to everyday individuals, and she approached each portrait with a deep sense of empathy and curiosity.

Throughout her career, Neel faced numerous challenges, including financial struggles, personal tragedies, and periods of obscurity. Despite these obstacles, she remained dedicated to her art and continued to paint with passion and conviction.

Neel's work gained greater recognition in the latter part of her life, with retrospectives and exhibitions at major museums and galleries. Today, she is celebrated as one of the most important portrait painters of the 20th century, renowned for her ability to capture the complexities of human experience with honesty and compassion. Her influence can be seen in the work of contemporary artists who explore similar themes of identity, psychology, and social consciousness.

Alice Neel died in New York in 1984.