I can understand how Goya’s Maja paintings may inspire an artist such as Timothy Greenfield-Sanders to make “XXX: 30 Porn Star Portraits. These paintings are exquisite and exciting.
However, the Maja paintings were originally meant to be displayed, not side by side like Greenfield-Sanders’ diptychs, but the clothed one more publicly, and the nude more hidden, perhaps in a secret panel behind where the clothed one hangs. This is why art is so much more interesting to see in a living space, rather than on cold white gallery walls.
Also, there is lustful energy in Goya’s Maja paintings - the clothed Maja reclines on her lounge seductively, before sex; the nude Maja reclines on her lounge satisfied, after sex.
Timothy’s portraits are straightforward, porn stars clothed, porn stars nude. No seduction, no afterglow. Its importance as artwork is for all the reasons I wrote about in my book review.
I like the portraits he took of me. The larger ones on a gallery tour right now are up for sale. If you buy it, let me know. I’d be curious to see where and how you hang it in your space.
