James Moten: Jester, Martyr, Saint Portrait of James Moten by Marta Rose

From the curator: Neither the family of James Moten nor the artist, Marta Rose, chose to write any commentary for the catalog. This painted portrait is very large and with its bold colors and James’ eyes and face in the center of the painting it is captivating. The sun/halo framing his head does not stop at the edge of the circular form but radiates out past the edge of the frame; a powerful pulsing force. James looks out from the canvas at us directly with a Mona Lisa like enigmatic expression. His confidant engaging focus and posture imparts a strength of spirit. The boldly colored shirt with different colored collars brings the “jester” of the title to mind and must impart to us that he had a spirited sense of humor and fun. The portrait has a feeling of vitality. I feel that he would have been an impressive young man to have met.

James Moten: Jester, Martyr, Saint Portrait of James Moten by Marta Rose oil on canvas 30” x 40” 2019