#17501 Miriam Schapiro

The composition presents a stylized female figure rendered in a flattened, almost graphic manner. The artist has employed bold colors and geometric shapes to construct her form, eschewing naturalistic representation for a more symbolic approach. A vibrant yellow background, textured with splatters and brushstrokes, provides the setting for this depiction.
Here we see the woman positioned centrally within the frame, her body formed from blocks of color – red, blue, green, and yellow – arranged in a layered skirt-like structure. The effect is akin to a patchwork quilt or a collection of decorative panels sewn together. Her hair, depicted as long dark strands, flows down on either side of her head, punctuated by what appear to be stylized antennae or decorative elements extending upwards. A prominent red area marks the face, devoid of detailed features except for an indication of eyes and mouth.
The artist has included a vertical inscription along the left edge of the painting – EXTER – which appears as a textual element integrated into the overall design. Its meaning remains ambiguous within the context of the image itself, potentially serving as a symbolic marker or a reference to something outside the visual field.
The use of contrasting colors and sharp lines creates a sense of dynamism and energy. The figure’s pose suggests movement, although it is frozen in time by the two-dimensional representation. The overall impression is one of celebration and perhaps ritualistic significance, with the vibrant color palette contributing to an atmosphere of festivity or heightened emotion.
Subtly, theres a sense of fragmentation within the image – both in the figure’s construction from disparate shapes and in the textured background that seems to dissolve around her form. This could suggest themes of identity, cultural heritage, or the complexities of representation itself. The stylized nature of the work invites interpretation beyond a straightforward portrait, hinting at deeper symbolic meanings related to tradition, community, or personal expression.