Julian Schnabel's Big Girl series emerged as a pivotal exploration of the human form and the act of perception in contemporary art. In 2001, Schnabel was inspired by a small painting he had acquired years earlier from a thrift store, which depicted a "classic" American female youth—blonde, cute, and clean-cut. This image became the foundation for a new body of work, leading to the creation of the Big Girl paintings. These works are notable for their absence of eyes on the subjects, a deliberate choice by Schnabel to draw the viewer's focus away from the individuals' gaze and towards the paintings themselves (Gagosian).
The Big Girl series was exhibited at the Gagosian Galleries in New York and Los Angeles, showcasing paintings that are monumental in scale, enveloping the viewer and filling their peripheral vision. Schnabel utilized a combination of paint and wax to create a rich, visceral surface on the canvases, contrasting with the lack of sentimentality in the imagery to create an unexpected harmony. This technique, along with the series' thematic exploration, highlights Schnabel's innovative approach to contemporary portraiture and his ability to evoke deep, reflective engagement from the audience (Julian Schnabel) (Gagosian).
One of the notable pieces from this series is "Big Girl Painting Erased (Percocet II)" created in 2021, which encapsulates the essence of the series with its substantial size and the complex interplay of materials and themes. This work, like others in the series, challenges conventional perceptions of beauty and visibility, encouraging a deeper contemplation of what it means to truly see and be seen (Julian Schnabel).
Schnabel's work in the Big Girl series is included in major collections and has been a significant part of his illustrious career, bridging his interests in materiality, form, and the expansive narrative potential of painting. Through these works, Schnabel continues to engage with and expand upon the boundaries of neo-expressionism, blending classical influences with a distinctly contemporary execution that speaks to the complexities of modern identity and representation.
