Untitled

Untitled

Chuck Close

1991

oil

From the collection of Museum of Modern Art

About this work

This is a close-up portrait made entirely of tiny squares. The face looks serious, with a dark beard and glasses. The colors are mostly grays, blues, and whites, blending to show light and shadow. The squares are painted in a way that makes you step back to see the full image. It’s not a smooth brushstroke—each square is its own little piece. Try looking up *impasto* next to see how artists build texture with paint.

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