Two Models with Griffin and Lion, 1993

Robert Miller Gallery, New York RoGallery, New York Private Collection

Born in 1924 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Philip Pearlstein is considered one of the leading masters of figural painting and contemporary realism. Forging his own path, after studying at the Carnegie Institute with Andy Warhol, he returned to studio painting and relied on live nude models in unusual, jarring compositions. In the early 1960s, Pearlstein devised a new practice where he assembled strange scenes with his nude models, often posing for several hours over many weeks. A collector in his own right, the artist would then mix furniture, patterned carpets, vintage toys, African sculptures and various odds and ends to complete his "tableaux". This work showcases two nude female figures resting against intricately carved sculptures of a griffin and a lion. An ornate rug with intricate floral patterns and an irregular-shaped mirror are the only other adornments. Pearlstein focuses primarily on the naturalistic representation of the anatomical form of his subjects—manipulating the lines, proportions and planes of the body—resulting in an uncompromising image that subverts narrative interpretation. Ultimately, Pearlstein’s commitment to realism offers a new perspective on portraiture, challenging academic conventions while expanding the notion of ideal beauty.