Portrait of Alice Neel
1976-1982, 120 minutes
Auder considers Neel to have been one of his closest
friends. This is confirmed by his endearing footage. Although Neel was
much beloved by numerous well known cultural figures many of whom she
painted, she did not receive major recognition until her later years.
These segments begin in 1976, two years after her
first retrospective held at the Whitney in 1974. Neel is captured in
several settings – at work with a range of sitters, on vacation
in Bermuda, and at a major birthday celebration in her honor at Gracie
Mansion.
The piece opens with Neel rummaging through her studio
as well as her memories, pulling out paintings and a host of related
anecdotes. The overwhelming sense of intimacy is indeed like being granted
the privilege of a studio visit.
Her pronouncements about life and death can only
be weighed against this footage of her surrounded by her paintings and
at work immortalizing those she loved. Neel passed away 1985 at the
age of 85.