Alice Neel

Alice Neel, born on January 28, 1900, in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, was an influential American painter renowned for her powerful and expressive portraits. Neel's early career was marked by personal challenges, including the loss of her first child and a tumultuous marriage, but she remained dedicated to her art. She studied at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now Moore College of Art & Design) and later moved to New York City, where she immersed herself in the vibrant art scene. Neel's work is characterized by its psychological depth and empathetic portrayal of her subjects, often capturing friends, family members, and fellow artists. Her portraits are known for their bold colors, expressive brushwork, and unflinching honesty. Some of her notable works include "Joe Gould" (1933), "Andy Warhol" (1970), and "Self-Portrait" (1980). Throughout her career, Neel received numerous accolades and saw a resurgence of interest in her work later in life. Her contributions to American art were recognized with a National Women's Caucus for Art Lifetime Achievement Award in 1979. Neel's paintings have been exhibited in major museums, including the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She passed away on October 13, 1984, in New York City, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most significant portrait painters of the 20th century. Her work continues to inspire and captivate audiences with its emotional intensity and keen observation of the human condition.