Lynette Yiadom-Boakye at Jack Shainman Gallery

British artist Lynette Yiadom-Boakye converses with John Singer Sargent’s 19th century portrait of a doctor in a red dressing gown standing before red drapes in this vivid painting of an imagined young man in a red jacket lounging on a red sofa.  Is he mimicking the crucifixion or expressing total relaxation in the comfort of this womb-red environment?  Titled ‘The Ventricular,’ matters of the heart and health come to mind.  (On view at Jack Shainman Gallery’s Chelsea locations through Feb 16th).

Lynette Yidaom-Boakye, The Ventricular, oil on linen, 47 ½ x 78 7/8 x 1 ½ inches, 2018.

John Singer Sargent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Performers give it their all in one of the best galleries in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s John Singer Sargent show, focusing on non commissioned (hence less restricted) portraits of friends and colleagues. Here, after meeting musical patron and singer Mabel Batten, Sargent persuaded her to pose for this incredible portrait of singing abandon. (Through Oct 4th).

John Singer Sargent, Mrs George Batten Singing, oil on canvas, 1897.