In this occasional series, Fine Art Today delves into the world of portraiture, highlighting historical and contemporary examples of superb quality and skill. This week: Michael Gaskell, “Harry.”
The mark of a skilled portraitist is the ability to capture a sitter’s presence to the degree that they seem to occupy the room. Significantly, this quality is much more than the sum of pigment, binder, and — in this week’s case — a wooden panel. Indeed, it seems impossible to adequately describe the ways in which a talented artist captures an individual’s essence, personality, or soul — all elements seemingly invisible. Michael Gaskell’s 2010 portrait titled “Harry” is one such example, the striking visage of a young man that grips the viewer with intensity. The picture’s story is noteworthy as well.
The tale of Gaskell’s 2010 portrait “Harry” is a fascinating one, not typically encountered in portraiture — but the result is unmistakably profound and extraordinary. Emerging from a completely darkened background is the black youth “Harry,” who gazes towards the viewer’s left with an expression of stern confidence and determined vision. Amazingly, Gaskell became acquainted with his subject through the portraiture process, not having known “Harry” before its execution. Gaskell recalls having seen the young man in a grocery store and — compelled by unknown forces — was struck by his visage and presence. Through the picture’s process, Gaskell came to intimately know Harry’s visage and personality, and the resulting portrait is compelling.
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Portrait of the Week: Michael Gaskell, “Harry”
