Oil on linen
182,9 x 152,4 cm / 72 x 60 in.

A legendary portrait painter, master of photorealism and one of the most influential artists of his generation, Chuck Close revolutionized the art scene, transforming the canons of academic portrait and experimenting in different forms of expression—from Polaroid photography to oil painting.

"A face is a road map of someone's life. Without any need to amplify that or draw attention to it, there's a great deal that's communicated about who this person is and what their life experiences have been."
– Chuck Close

Unfolding in a spectrum of gray tones, mirroring the aesthetics of black-and-white photography, this large painting showcases meticulously crafted grids comprising interconnected abstract shapes. The artwork's focused perspective and monumental scale conspire to draw the viewer into an intimate communion with the subject, fostering a lasting and captivating interchange.

The grid system, a tool for achieving accurate proportions and perspective, was embraced by Close as a fundamental aspect of his artistic method. Many great masters, from Leonardo Da Vinci and Albrecht Durer to Jacques-Louis David, Vincent Van Gogh, and Edgar Degas, employed this technique throughout art history. Close, influenced by Sol LeWitt's process-based work, explored the grid system, using it as a framework to transform photographs into expansive paintings.

For more than five decades, Close created an impressive collection of large-scale photo-realistic grid portraits. Drawing inspiration from those close to him, whether friends or family, Close's body of work featured a particularly poignant piece titled Leslie, a deeply personal portrayal of his former wife, Leslie Rose. Throughout their relationship, he frequently depicted her, resulting in a remarkable selection of portraits that captured her personality throughout her life circle.

Leslie, 2007, stands out as an exceptional portrait showcasing Close's legendary approach. Poised on the cusp of sharpening into photographic focus and dissolving into abstraction, the image echoes the techniques employed by Pointillists like Seurat and Signac, who created shimmering, prismatic landscapes. Close achieved a vibrant and intricately woven surface through the meticulous depiction of small, abstract bursts of color, offering a dynamic impression of the subject that transcends traditional portraiture.

"I think, now looking back the whole last number of years I've been painting my wife, my child, my children, my wife's grandmother, her parents, close friends — that this was a very cathartic experience for me […] This was a very sentimental journey for me, and these are images that were incredibly important and incredibly moving for me to make…"
– Chuck Close