Philip Pearlstein

Pearlstein established his reputation in the 1950s as a champion of realism and the figurative tradition at a time when abstract art dominated the avant-garde. He is best-known for his depictions of nude models in the studio, remarkable for their singular cropping and complex compositions involving a variety of props. He created this watercolor of three soldiers resting in 1943, during his army training in Florida. Pearlstein entered the army after completing his studies at Carnegie Mellon, and served from 1943 until 1946. This watercolor relates to a large group of sketches, drawings, and prints that Pearlstein created while serving in the army, which are part of the Morgan collection.