Teen Portrait Commission

Eric is a bright young man on the precipice of manhood. In this half-figure portrait with hands, Marvin has used the dark shapes of Eric’s hair, sweater, and chair to frame and emphasize his gaze.

The painting’s composition balances Marvin’s use of sensitive color shifts and technical virtuosity with its reliance on graphic abstract shapes. While rooted in the traditions of classical portraiture, the inclusion of the modern chair gives the painting a distinctly contemporary character.