About The Sea by Alice Neel

Alice Neel created her painting "The Sea" in 1947 using oil in canvas.

Beyond the Artwork: The Art of Alice Neel

Alice Neel's upbringing in a small Pennsylvania town and a formative year in Cuba preceded her move to New York City in 1927. There, she spent 60 years working, raising a family, and becoming renowned for her revolutionary portraits and dedication to social justice. 

New York was Neel’s primary inspiration: She resided and worked across the city, from the Bronx to Greenwich Village, Spanish Harlem, and the Upper West Side. Her diverse social circle included artists, celebrities, and neighbors, many of whom became lifelong friends and subjects.

Through her portraits and streetscapes, we glimpse Neel's version of New York: a dynamic city characterized by its mix of ugliness, struggle, and brutality, alongside strength, resilience, and beauty — the perpetual hustle. Each corner tells a tale.

Neel's profound understanding was that the essence of a place lies in its people—the borough, the neighborhood, every city block. Above all, she believed that amidst the millions, every individual is distinct and deserving of portrayal with dignity and agency.

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