Alice Neel and Gay Liberation

Explore Alice Neel’s relationship with queer culture and her vivid portraits of LGBTQIA+ subjects, including artist Jackie Curtis and poet Adrienne Rich.

Explore Alice Neel’s relationship with queer culture and the vivid portraits of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer subjects she painted in the 1970s, including artist Jackie Curtis and poet Adrienne Rich. Learn how Neel’s portraits coincided with the gay liberation movement, contributed to increasing queer visibility, and used visual puns as a means of encoding queer sexual identity and desire.


Contributors

Randall Griffey
Curator, Department of Modern and Contemporary Art

An array of brightly colored and intricately patterned shapes with a beautiful light-pink watercolored background.
Explore Chris Bogia’s original artwork, inspired by Stettheimer’s evocative aesthetics and support of New York’s queer community in the early twentieth century.
Chris Bogia
June 27
Two women caress each other while a dark gray bird and babies watch from the background.
“I wanted to be that commanding huntress, to live among a fleet of adoring nymphs and hounds and transform any man who crossed me.”
Melissa Febos
June 12
Four mannequins display vibrant fashion in a showroom. Outfits include red satin, yellow silk, blue sequins, and green sequined pants, creating a bold and stylish atmosphere.
Video
Monica L. Miller and Andrew Bolton
May 22
More in:PridePortraitureSocial ChangeWomen's HistoryOn View

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Spanish Harlem, Alice Neel  American, Oil on canvas
Alice Neel
1938
Geoffrey Hendricks and Brian, Alice Neel  American, Oil on canvas
Alice Neel
1978
Andy Warhol, Alice Neel  American, Oil and acrylic on linen
Alice Neel
1970
Jackie Curtis and Ritta Redd, Alice Neel  American, Oil on canvas
Alice Neel
1970
Christopher Lazare, Alice Neel  American, Watercolor and cut and pasted paper
Alice Neel
1932
David Bourdon and Gregory Battcock, Alice Neel  American, Oil on canvas
Alice Neel
1970
Jackie Curtis as a Boy, Alice Neel  American, Oil on canvas
Alice Neel
1972
Robbie Tillotson, Alice Neel  American, Oil on canvas
Alice Neel
1973
Mary Garrard, Alice Neel  American, Graphite on paper
Alice Neel
1977
Adrienne Rich, Alice Neel  American, Ink on paper
Alice Neel
1973