R.B. Kitaj, A Visit to London (Robert Creeley and Robert Duncan), 1977
Oil and coal on canvas,
183 × 61 cm
© The Estate of R.B. Kitaj, courtesy Marlborough Gallery, New York
5/9
A mischievous gaze, arms lying in front of him on the table, and a wool cap on his head: this is how Kitaj eternalized his poet-friend Robert Creeley (1926-2005), when Creeley visited Kitaj at his home in London.
Kitaj brought Creeley together in a double portrait with Robert Duncan (1919-1988), who is presented here with an absent expression and folded arms. Kitaj got to know the two American poets, who were close friends, while teaching at Berkeley from 1967 to 1968.
In his portraits, Kitaj not only examined his personal friendships with the writers, artists and intellectuals he painted, but he also grappled with the connection between visual and literary art.
