Leslie

Chuck Close is best known for his work in photography and his photorealist paintings, but he has (as here) also successfully translated his style into woodblock prints that feature a wide variety of color. He achieves this color through the Japanese printmaking style of ukiyo-e, which involves many blocks being cut for different colors and then printed with water-based ink to achieve a light, subtle color scheme. Leslie portrays Close’s former wife. The print is striking in the way it provides a remarkably precise map of Leslie’s face but reveals little, if anything, of her character or mood. We know her name and appearance and are struck by the technical brilliance of the work, but are given little else in this portrait by her husband.

Liberty Bassett '22

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