“Richard Estes: Painting New York City” at the Museum of Arts and Design

Richard Estes is one of the leading artists in the photorealist movement, which dates back to the 1960s and 1970s. As is clear from a current exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design, he focuses on New York City in his paintings, which are so detailed that they look like photographs. This impression is deceptive; actually, Estes takes a number of photos of a scene and shifts objects before working on a composition.

The result is always a remarkable study of light, shadows and, especially, multiple window reflections.  Estes’ photorealism, however, is related to realism as virtual reality is related to reality. Those who live here will not recognize this New York City. Many of the scenes have few if any people. The surfaces are slick, shiny, clean and antiseptic. Estes’ superb technical skills are put to the service of a cold vision. In contrast, the artist Red Grooms, for all the cartoon-like aspect of his work, presents the city as raucous and filled with a wild variety of humanity. His is ultimately the more realistic, lived-in vision.

The museum takes a unique perspective on Estes as a craftsman. In emphasizing his creative process, the exhibition presents the photos, silkscreens and woodcuts that are the raw materials of Estes’ art.

Above: "Columbus Circle Looking North," 2009

“Richard Estes: Painting New York City” continues through September 20, 2015, at the Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, NYC, 212-299-7777, www.madmuseum.org