Chuck Close (1940–2021) was an American painter and printmaker known for his large-scale, highly detailed portraits. Born on July 5, 1940, in Monroe, Washington, Close developed a unique approach to portraiture that involved breaking down the image into a grid and meticulously filling in each square with various patterns and colors.Close's early works in the late 1960s and early 1970s, such as his massive black-and-white portrait of the artist Philip Glass, established him as a prominent figure in the contemporary art scene. Despite facing physical challenges due to a spinal artery collapse in 1988 that left him paralyzed from the neck down, Close continued to create art with the help of a wheelchair and a brace on his hand.His distinctive "photorealist" technique involved the use of a grid to transfer photographs onto large canvases, with each square containing intricate details. Close's approach went beyond traditional photorealism, exploring the interplay of color, shape, and form. Some of his other notable works include portraits of fellow artists, friends, and family members.Chuck Close's art has been exhibited internationally, and he received numerous awards throughout his career, including the National Medal of Arts in 2000. His contributions to the art world extended beyond his paintings, as he played a key role in the development of contemporary American art. Chuck Close passed away on August 19, 2021, leaving behind a significant legacy and an enduring impact on the world of visual arts.
Measures 14.8 x 11.