VERLAINE

DeNiro, Robert Sr. (1922-1993)

Watercolor

1955

X1964.04.02

This portrait is suggestive, with description largely accomplished through contour lines and brushy strokes that outline the top of the head in a dark blue green and continue around in a scribble to indicate a beard. There are areas of light green and a broad wash of black in the chest area, and the space behind the figure is pale blue and grey, with strokes of red purple worked in sparingly . Large areas of unpainted paper are exposed in contrast with the quick, intense gestures to make this small, static portrait compelling. Of the French poet Verlaine.