The Art of Expression: 9 Remarkable Portraits

The portrait artists at the Gallery are experts at capturing the true essence and humanity of their subjects. Using vastly different techniques and styles, each conveys a nuanced story behind the figure they portray. Read more about the art of portraiture, the artists themselves, and find your own personal connection with a piece below.

Hans Paap (1890-1967) - “Si Si, Señor”, oil on canvas, 21 x 21”

Hans Paap made his career painting the locals and landscapes in a wide variety of regions including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, the Dominican Republic, and the United States. One of the places he found most affecting was Taos, a burgeoning arts community where he formed a deep camaraderie amongst fellow artists such as Kenneth Adams, E. Martin Hennings, and Walter Ufer. “Si Si, Señor” showcases his love for bright, energetic color palettes and romantic views of New Mexico’s inhabitants.

Anna Katharine Skeele (1896-1963) - “Woman in White Blouse” (Untitled), oil on canvas, 28 x 22”

Anna Katharine Skeele was a highly educated artist and teacher recognized for her distinctive portraits. She studied across the world, winning awards and working with other famous painters of her time, like Stanton Macdonald-Wright. But one of her favorite places to paint was New Mexico where she was drawn to its people, full of personality, humor, and ease.

Allen Polt (b. 1941) - “Mr. Lujan”, oil on canvas, 36 x 24”

With an early career start drawing portraits for the Wall Street journal, Allen Polt has been a consummate portrait artist from the beginning. Captivated by the diversity and dignity of the human form, Polt found his artistic stride when he left Manhattan for the Southwest. Once there, he was inspired by the vast history and culture within its Native populations. Today he draws references from archival texts, bringing life to the stories and people of New Mexico’s past.

David A. Leffel (b. 1931) - “Girl in Black Turtleneck”, oil on board, 12 x 9 ¾”

One of the foremost representational painters of our time, David Leffel has mastered his technique filled with details, soft light, and luminous shadows. This portrait showcases his long study of Rembrandt, encapsulated by the dark background and light emanating from within the subject. As in his still lifes, Leffel brings amazing depth to this simple composition through immense technical skill.

William Whitaker (1943-2018) - “High Summer”, oil on panel, 8 x 10”

A master of classical realism, William Whitaker produced a body of work widely recognized for its unmistakable technique and focus of style. He stands out with a predominant interest in exploring feminine subjects and their nuances. “High Noon” is characteristic of much of Whitaker’s oeuvre with an irresistible softness to the face and the combined elements of realism and idealized beauty.

Bettina Steinke (1913-1999) - “Indian Girl”, oil on canvas, 16 x 12”

Winner of the 1978 Prix de West award and the John Singer Sargent Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Society of Portrait Artists, Bettina Steinke was a prolific commercial illustrator. Starting in 1937 with a commission to do 10th Anniversary portraits for NBC Radio, Steinke would later do portraits for CEOs, corporate executives, and many big names, including Douglas MacArthur, Lady Bird Johnson, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Steinke’s work is known for realistic light and softness of expression, which can be seen in the stunning piece above.

Ira Yeager (1938-2022) - “Indian Portrait”, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 48”

Washington-born painter Ira Yeager always preferred painting historical yet playful takes on traditional Native American portraits. “Painting is my life blood and life force—for me an everlasting quest in exploration of the various levels of my consciousness and creativity,” the artist explained. “I return time and time again to the same themes. On each occasion, I bring new thoughts, techniques, and fresh ideas, seeking a greater perfection of subjects that are centuries old.” Yeager’s artistic legacy remains prominent today, closely associated with the West Coast where he spent his life and career.

Kenneth Riley (1919-2015) - “Blackfoot”, oil on board, 16 x 12”

Raised in Kansas and schooled at the Kansas City Art Institute, award-winning painter Kenneth Riley enjoyed a long, successful art career. His skills betray an impressive lineage of training: Riley was a pupil of iconic instructor and painter Harvey Dunn, himself a student of the legendary Howard Pyle. “Blackfoot” demonstrates Riley’s fierce technical ability and understanding of human expression, exhibiting the timeless, airy quality that came to define his work.

Henry C. Balink (1882-1963) – “Taos Chieftain”, oil, 16 ½ x 17 ½”

Acclaimed Dutch-born painter Henry Balink is often regarded as the foremost painter of Native American portraits in the 20th century. Though he journeyed to Taos around the time the famed Taos Society of Artists was formed, Balink marched to the beat of his own drum. His quick rise to success with a commission to paint portraits of Oklahoma’s tribal Chiefs drew the envy of the Taos artists. They even tried to have him deported to no avail. Unfazed and undeterred, Balink moved to Santa Fe with his wife in 1924. Once here, he worked in his studio on Old Santa Fe Trail the rest of his career.

The pieces shown here and many others are currently available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For questions about the art or the Gallery, please contact inquiry@matteucci.com or call 505-982-4631.