Philip Pearlstein

Long acknowledged as a master of contemporary realism, Philip Pearlstein has remained true to his pursuit of painting monumental nudes since the 1960s. Eschewing the minimalism, conceptu­alism, and later expressionism practiced by many of his contemporaries, Pearlstein has followed a course of figurative painting that has proven to be very influential to a younger generation of artists. 

 

The larger-than-life men and women who occupy his canvases, often veering out of the frame at surprising angles, are posed sitting or reclining passively, disinterestedly, on furniture or against patterned rugs, and rendered cool and motionless under stark, even light. Since the early 1980s, Pearlstein has boldly introduced folk art, sculpture, and other incongruous props into his layered, abstract, and increasingly complex com­positions, creating a visual and psychological ten­sion between human and inanimate forms. 'l'hese enigmatic objects-carousel animals, goose decoys, toy boats, marionettes, weathervanes­challenge the viewer to reflect on their meaning while resisting interpretation. 

 

This selection of sixty paintings and water­colors from the past two decades reveals the intel­ligence and virtuosity that have made Pearlstein a contemporary master over the course of his long career. The book also includes an enlightening interview with the artist and a thoughtful essay by curator and scholar Robert Storr, who has known Pearlstein for many years. 
70 illustrations, including 60 plates in full color 

 

Editor: Elisa Urbanclli Designer: Dana Sloan

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Storr, Robert.

Philip Pearlstein : since 1983 / Robert Storr.

p.cm.
includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-8109-0435-7

Copyright © 2002 Robert Miller Gallery 
Published in 2002 by Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, New York AJI rights reserved. 􀁦o part of the contents of this book may be reproduced without the written perwssion of the publisher. 
Printed and bound in Italy 
10987654321