Paula Rego

by John McEwen

The monumentality and psychological drama of Paula Rego's paintings have established her as one of the most important figurative painters of her generation. Her first retrospective exhibition in London in 1988 brought together a range of her dramatically simplified paintings of the ambiguous relations of men, women and children. This study was first published in 1992, but since then Rego has produced new work, including the "Peter Pan" etchings, the "Dog Woman" series and "The Ostriches", which are illustrated and discussed. Bringing together paintings, prints and drawings alongside documentary photographs, this book features a revised chronology, and list of exhibitions.

Genres: Art, Reference

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's an interesting experience to 'read' an artist's monograph with an eye to review. I've had this Rego monograph for decades but only re-read it this past week - and I realized that... y'know what? I never actually READ it the first time. Yeah, yeah. I read it - but more 'read at' it, spending more time with the graphics and paintings.

This time I spent more time with McEwen's excellent observations and Rego's words and the most interesting thing happened: I saw the paintings in a totally different light. Rego talks about gaining valuable technical advice about various aspects of the painting of her work (as when she learns how to get shadows onto a floor); I went back and looked at the paintings in question and I could actually see her learning trajectory. Fascinating, indeed.

The emotional politics of Rego's work are explored here, as well - Rego is an intriguing painter, painting on a total scale but always from a female perspective (and how could it be any other way, I wonder; I cannot imagine the world from a man's perspective, even as I see its effects daily. It's like me imagining what it's like to have a prostate). Rego digs deep into the psyche of womanhood, from so many different and challenging angles. A lot of it is uncomfortable (young girls in positions of sexual dominance, class structure (and its possibly vicious breakdown) shown between women (her studies of and painting of 'The Maids' stays with me, creating an interior duality where I am both maid and mistress). The descriptions of how Rego achieved the work shown in this monograph establishes her as a painter of note. The paintings are gorgeous - and gorgeously grotesque - and leave me breathless. McEwen's deft handling of the subject matter serves to elevate it even more. Highly recommend.

[Tammy Marie Jacintho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing? Yes.

Grotesques with children's bodies... Well-mannered monsters... Dog women... Obese ballerinas in black crepe... Cartoons of regicide... Old naked women looking outward from their pudgy flesh... Weeping vegetables... Depressed animals...Pissing pots... Abortions... Men in drag...

All of her work is eerily lit, resplendent of shadows, and rendered with a Master's virtuosity. Even her most disturbing paintings and pastels are so well crafted and imagined that it is painful to turn away... and so we keep looking—long past a moment of propriety. The viewer definitely gets a sense of his or her voyeurism... and much of the work feels a little naughty.

Paula Rego's colors are breathtaking. Her draftsmanship is superb. And her imagination is fantastic. There is a great deal of psychological depth to her work. She is a Portuguese artist who underwent significant change along with her country, and those growing pains and schisms are apparent. This book is the only "full career retrospective of the artist" and it is a breathtaking look at this artist's passionate response to both the light and the shadows.

Conclusion: This book is worth a nightmare.

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting look at Rego's art within the context of her life, from her childhood in a repressive, Catholic Portugal, to her evolution as an artist. I want this book