Philip Pearlstein

Awkward cropping and close scrutiny of the female body have characterized Philip Pearlstein’s work since the late 1960s. Pearlstein consistently works from life, arranging his models in a studio setting with a limited selection of props, among them rugs, quilts, toys, or, in this case, a simple piece of furniture. Harsh fluorescent
light exposes every detail, wrinkle, and flaw of the model’s flesh, which the artist records objectively, treating the body as if it were a landscape. The demanding nature of Pearlstein’s process requires that he work with professional models prepared to endure lengthy sittings.