Even if you can’t put a name to it, it’s certain you’ve seen the painting technique known as cangiantismo before. Developed during the Rennaissance, it’s a way of changing the hue of a colour within a model to introduce light and shade, but in the hands of some artists it lends their works a supernatural or otherworldly quality. A modern interpretation can be seen in the paintings of Lisa Yuskavage; the effect is particularly evident in the 2013 work Hippies which signals the conceptual and chronological beginning of a series of works currently on show in New York.
Beginning with a pale female nude, the piece deepens with four males fanning out behind her — likened to a many-limbed Hindu god, or a dance routine from the early ’90s for the less classically-minded. Another painterly technique, grisaille, is employed in the background, whereby a nearly monochrome palette is used to heighten the contrast between the foreground figures and enhance their ethereal qualities. Other works in the exhibition display further historical influences. Dude of Sorrows takes off Albrecht Dürer’s Biblical self-portrait from 1500, while Yuskavage’s spreadeagled girl in Striped Socks references Rococo works such as Boucher’s risqué spread-eagled portrait, via Playboy. David Zwirner is hosting until 13 June.
Installation view from the 2015 solo exhibition
Lisa Yuskavage at David Zwirner, New York
Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York/London
Lisa Yuskavage
Hippies, 2013
Oil on linen
82 1/4 x 66 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches (208.9 x 168.9 x 3.8 cm)
Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York/London
Lisa Yuskavage
Lovers, 2015
Pastel over unique inkjet ground on rag paper
43 x 39 inches (109.2 x 99.1 cm)
Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York/London
Lisa Yuskavage
Sari, 2015
Oil on linen
48 1/8 x 40 x 1 5/8 inches (122.2 x 101.6 x 4.1 cm)
Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York/London
Lisa Yuskavage
Mardi Gras Dude, 2014
Pastel over unique inkjet ground on rag paper
49 x 39 inches (124.5 x 99.1 cm)
Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York/London
Installation view from the 2015 solo exhibition
Lisa Yuskavage at David Zwirner, New York
Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York/London
Lisa Yuskavage
Around the House, 2015
Oil on linen
11 7/8 x 10 x 1 1/8 inches (30.2 x 25.4 x 2.9 cm)
Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York/London
Lisa Yuskavage
Crawling Out, 2014
Pastel over unique inkjet ground on rag paper
49 x 39 inches (124.5 x 99.1 cm)
Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York/London
Lisa Yuskavage
In the Park, 2014
Oil on linen
84 x 72 x 1 5/8 inches (213.4 x 182.9 x 4.1 cm)
Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York/London
Lisa Yuskavage
Dude of Sorrows, 2015
Oil on linen
48 1/8 x 40 x 1 5/8 inches (122.2 x 101.6 x 4.1 cm)
Courtesy the artist and David Zwirner, New York/London
