Note on Art
Dublin Core
Title
Note on Art
Subject
A note from LeRoy Neiman on self-fashioning, portraiture, and age.
Description
This note from LeRoy Neiman interrogates the conceptual overlap of painting/staging portraits and self-fashioning. Neiman’s writing meanders from a mention of wearing a Panama hat when he was 25 to stating, “when painting a commissioned portrait the artist sometimes performs (the role) of a plastic surgeon at times a cosmetologist.” These diffuse, tangential references then skirt conclusion. He concludes the writing with a remark on age: “This [my younger self] is not the face I see in mirror when shaving today but (there is) a trace of a young man who knew the value of props.”
Creator
LeRoy Neiman
Source
LeRoy Neiman Foundation
Publisher
LeRoy Neiman Foundation
Date
c. 1990-2011
Contributor
LeRoy Neiman
Rights
Property of the LeRoy Neiman Foundation; please consult the organization's archivist for further details.
Relation
Notes
Format
Image/jpeg
Language
English
Type
Document
Identifier
LN_Notes_1292
Coverage
New York (N.Y.) New York
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Painting your own mug points up how dependent you can get on your props
For this self-portrait I decided I’d be hatless and call on (my) two (MAIN) supports my mustache and cigar and hold my a “LeRoy” radidograph, a tool of my trade, in hand.
At age 25 I was making my transition from the army to civilian life. I had just braded in my issue “piss-pot” helmet and my kitchen bonnet which I wore performing my culinary wonders as a first cook.
So I waved my contemporary next selection of headwear my Panama or Borsolino to concentrate on a full head study “sans chapeau.”
When painting a commissioned portrait the artist sometimes performs (the role) of a plastic surgeon at times a cosmetologist.
I hindsight I painted myself with considerable flattery as I’ve always made my men subjects look stronger (just) as I’ve (made my) women younger so why isn’t it justifiable to make myself a young man of substantial strength.
This is not the face I see in mirror when shaving today but (there is) a trace of a young man who knew the value of props.
For this self-portrait I decided I’d be hatless and call on (my) two (MAIN) supports my mustache and cigar and hold my a “LeRoy” radidograph, a tool of my trade, in hand.
At age 25 I was making my transition from the army to civilian life. I had just braded in my issue “piss-pot” helmet and my kitchen bonnet which I wore performing my culinary wonders as a first cook.
So I waved my contemporary next selection of headwear my Panama or Borsolino to concentrate on a full head study “sans chapeau.”
When painting a commissioned portrait the artist sometimes performs (the role) of a plastic surgeon at times a cosmetologist.
I hindsight I painted myself with considerable flattery as I’ve always made my men subjects look stronger (just) as I’ve (made my) women younger so why isn’t it justifiable to make myself a young man of substantial strength.
This is not the face I see in mirror when shaving today but (there is) a trace of a young man who knew the value of props.
Original Format
Felt-tipped pen on paper.
Files
Collection
Citation
LeRoy Neiman, “Note on Art,” LeRoy Neiman Foundation, accessed March 29, 2024, https://leroyneimanfoundation.omeka.net/items/show/112.