Portrait (Head)

"Portrait (Head)" is a powerful manifestation of the angst and suffering Arshile Gorky experienced during the Armenian genocide. The Abstract Expressionist influence is pronounced in the non-objective forms and bold colors, while the sharp, fractured lines betray a touch of Cubism. The emotive depth of the portrait is accentuated by Gorky's clever use of oil on canvas, enhancing the painting's tonal contrasts and textural depth. Gorky's life's torments find visceral expression in this intense work, which confirms his standing among the most influential American artists of the 20th century.