Artist Research
Ronald B. Kitaj 1932-2007
Spent early adulthood as a seaman for a freighting company, then a short time in the US army.
Studied at the Akademia der bildenden Kunste in Vienna
The Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, Oxford UK.
Royal Collage of Art , London UK.
Spent most of the rest of his life in England. Close friends with David Hockney
Suicide at the age of 74 in 2007
Drawing, Collage Painting
Ronald B. Kitaj, Parist, 1997-2000, charcoal on paper with collage, 30.5 x 22 in.
My first impression of this drawing was that it reminded me of the unit 2 technique drawing were we collaged a little thumbprint onto paper and drew around it. Looking at the placement of the collaged ladies face on this man’s groin, I imagine this person stirred his loins. Was it his wife, lover, or a child he conceived? The theme of sexuality is possibly being explored. The title ‘Parist’ may be the last name of the lady in the collage. Charcoal is used for a strong graphic outline on this gesture sketch. Cross hatching adds weight to the figure. The charcoal has been turned on it’s side for long shaded areas. The man has no arm. The upper and lower corners are dark with a light diagonal stripe through the center. The focal point is his crotch. Brown paper is used as the background. I am somewhat disturbed by this picture.
Ronald B. Kitaj, Sarah’s Back, 1984, charcoal and pastel on paper, 30.6 x 22.5 in.
My first impression of this drawing was the model has ‘man arms and hands’. You can tell this was done in 1985 due to the watch. The subject seems to be a model study of a ladies back. He was working on his pastel skills during this time in Paris. Again brown paper is used . This is a very representative drawing. It reminds me of our live model sessions. The title ‘Sarah’s Back’ is literal. Once again we see the dark outline of the figure. There is some shading of anatomy in the back and arms. This adds shape and curvature to the drawing. Color was introduced to the blanket, watch and background. I wonder if it was a Swatch?
Ronald B. Kitaj, Self Portrait (After Freud’s Second Painting of Me), 2000-2004, Charcoal on paper, 30.75 x 22.5 in. Once again we see a large self portrait drawing on brown paper. Hard dark strokes are used with an addition of color around the face and strong white in the beard. He is refering to the artist Lucian Freud who was an english portrait artist. I find this painting to be chaotic and all over the place. He did place the eyes 1/3 down from the top following that principle. So much volume concentrated in the middle portion of this drawing. I think it weighs it down and gives it a heavy feeling.
Ronald B. Kitaj, Dominie at San Feliu, 1978, pastel and charcoal on paper, 21.4 x 15.4 in.
My first impression is that this is a nice soft portrait of a young girl. Dominie was Ronalds adopted daughter from his first marriage. He often used friends and family while honing his drawing skills.
Works Cited
https://www.artnet.com/artists/rb-kitaj/dominie-at-san-fel%C3%ADu-a-ev2Wyr6QSwOtsLDYu2R58Q2
https://www.artnet.com/artists/rb-kitaj/study-for-the-rock-garden-old-man-a-Eubhj3BZyb2yUMsJWn-ybw2
https://www.britishartfair.co.uk/british-art-news/rb-kitaj-dominie-at-san-felu-1978
www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/kitaj-ronald-brooks-after-baudelaire-1988-423-c-fbb48ada8c
http://rbkitaj.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._B._Kitaj