Neel was often seen as a creative and talented portrait painter, especially with her artwork containing women. Her depictions of women were very far from the ideal person, which led her to shy away from traditional beauty standards. Capturing her subjects with the genuine reality of the female body and face, adding imperfections such as wrinkles, stretch marks, and sagging skin. Also emphasizing and not being afraid to show the complexity of women’s emotions. Portraying feelings that represented sadness, exhaustion, or frustration, allowing these emotions to be the highlight throughout her painting. Neel’s painting of women was not subjected to a certain class of women; she painted various social, economic, and racial backgrounds. Embracing diversity throughout her artwork was one of Neel’s commitments to portray the full spectrum of women’s experiences. Her depiction of Black women in healthcare had a major effect and was an old statement during the civil rights era. Motherhood is a consistent theme through her artwork as she depicts the exhaustion and emotional toll that motherhood holds. Showing the rawness of these experiences beyond the roles of caregivers, individuals, and mothers. Not making her artwork appealing to the traditional “male gaze” as it was more direct and reflected strength, challenging others’ expectations. For example, one of her most famous artworks, “Mother and Child,” depicts the intimate and exhausting reality of motherhood. A mother’s face is seen tired as the child clings to her, lost in her hand. Neel's use of colors and brushwork emphasizes the emotional depth, portraying the complexity of maternal love and exhaustion. One of the biggest impacts of Neel's journey throughout motherhood was the death of her daughter Santillana, who died from diphtheria.

Work Cited:

Monie, Savita. "Seeing Myself in Alice Neel’s Mother and Child." The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 4 May 2021, www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/alice-neel-mother-and-child