A puzzle popped up on my news feed a few days ago. It was a painting of a busy bar that featured a group of men and women having casual conversation over some cocktails, some sitting while others were standing and some strolling across the bar. The creator of the post put a little puzzle at the bottom of the painting, inviting viewers to spot the rich guy!
Naturally, my guess was the character in the brown suit. First, he gives off a charming vibe with his hearty smile and an air of confidence synonymous with successful men. Most noticeable were the beautiful ladies surrounding him; even the waiter had a huge grin while pouring his drink, and he’s obviously the center of attention at the bar. My curiosity got the best of me, so I headed to the comments to see what others had to say. No surprise, a lot of the respondents share my viewpoint, but as I scrolled through the comments, a few pieces of feedback struck me and made me rethink not only the artwork but also the societal culture of speculating or determining people’s net worth off face value.
The first was a respondent who picked the character in a black hat and trench coat. His reason? He’s the only one who’s actively uninvolved! The second was the respondent who picked the character in the red jacket and his reason: he’s the only man in the painting who has no one to impress. I thought about the two comments for a while, and my mind flashed back to a book I read a few years ago. Inside the book, I remembered a quote that has stayed with me to date: “The habits and skills learned to become wealthy do not disappear once the goal has been achieved.” The truth is, becoming wealthy is not what most people think. It isn’t flashy cars, designer clothes, private jets, and hosting multiple women to fancy dinner every day! Becoming wealthy is a daily habit of frugality, smart investing, and long-term planning.
The ultra-wealthy love to fly under the radar and do not like showing off their wealth. They see no value in an ostentatious lifestyle and boastful behavior, as they always try to leave no clues as to their wealth in order to avoid unwanted attention in a world that’s increasingly becoming dangerous for them! This new narrative, while not taking it as the whole truth, presented a fresh perspective to ponder and a deeper appreciation of the art and thought process of the artist. Narrative painting like this can be very powerful in making the viewer “finish” the story in their own head.
In terms of technical prowess, the artwork stands out for its narrative depth, technical execution, and ability to engage the viewer in reflecting on the intricacies of social dynamics. I find myself once again immersed in an evocative world reminiscent of Hopper, albeit with a hyper-saturated twist. The colors burst forth with vibrancy and precision, breathing life into this artistic realm. The use of color is not only bold but also meticulously crafted, creating a world that pulsates with vitality. The brushstrokes, expertly blended, contribute to a seamless visual experience where the colors are strategically blocked, resulting in a thickness that is not only substantial but also aesthetically pleasing. As I take in the entirety of the piece, a sensory symphony plays in my mind. I can almost hear the subdued murmurs of the crowd, the distinct clinking of glasses being lifted, and the gentle notes of a soft jazz melody or a low-frequency hum that saturates the environment with an undeniable vibrancy.
While categorizing this painting strictly under the label of “realism” might not capture its essence entirely, it transcends mere realism by virtue of the atmospheric quality it exudes. In essence, this painting transcends the boundaries of traditional realism, inviting the viewer into a multi-sensory experience where vibrant colors, meticulous brushwork, and a carefully orchestrated atmosphere coalesce to form a narrative that goes beyond the visual, resonating with the rich soundscape of a bustling, lively environment.
Author: Edgar Singleton
Edgar Singleton is a New York-based professional artist who specializes in contemporary arts. He’s also an educator, art critic, and essayist. Edgar is a contributing editor to the Art Circle, a community of artists, curators, and art collectors. He is also the author of numerous museum and art gallery artist catalog reviews. He loves to cover the works of emerging artists, exhibitions, art issues, and trending topics in the art world. Edgar received his BFA in Visual Arts from Carnegie Mellon University.