Ronen Azulay

Bare Back, Featuring Daniel

24 × 20 in
Mixed media on repurposed leather

Continuing my series of male figures and features, Bare Back, Featuring Daniel required a great deal of engineering, with repeated stretching, cutting, and repositioning of the materials to create its multidimensional form.

A strong, naked back demands an equally durable structure to support the concept. Daniel’s arms are drawn behind his body, creating a gesture that extends beyond the traditional boundaries of the canvas and gives the figure a sense of stability and weight. The dimensional leather also invites the viewer to experience the work from the front and sides.

The flatter, slightly graphic treatment evokes the romance of antiquity, while the mysterious composition and dramatic gesture recall Baroque painting. The deep earth tones and darker palette are particularly influenced by The Colossus, attributed to Francisco de Goya, whose monumental scale and atmospheric darkness resonate with this work.

#Portrait #textile #leather #art #painting