American painter Chuck Close, figure of hyperrealism, famous for his giant portraits, is dead – franceinfo

American painter and photographer Chuck Close, a figure of hyperrealism known for his giant portraits, died Thursday, August 19 at the age of 81, US media reported. His lawyer John Silberman, who could not be reached immediately, confirmed his death to the New York Times.

Born in 1940 in Monroe, Washington, Chuck Close was known for his gigantic portraits or self-portraits, some in mosaics, others so detailed that they looked, with the naked eye, like photographs. Among his subjects, he had represented US President Bill Clinton, composer Philip Glass, rock legend Lou Reed, or artist Cindy Sherman.

A woman observes “Phil” painting by Chuck Close in 1969, which depicts his friend, the composer Philip Glass. Exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, April 23, 2015 (SPENCER PLATT / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA)

Paralyzed by an attack in 1988, he only moved around in a wheelchair but continued to paint. Exhibited in the largest museums, such as the MoMA or the Guggenheim in New York, his works have also adorned the New York subway.

A woman observes artist Chuck Close's mosaic self-portrait at a New York subway station, January 1, 2017 (YANA PASKOVA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA) — A woman observes artist Chuck Close’s mosaic self-portrait at a New York City subway station on January 1, 2017. (YANA PASKOVA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA)

In statements to US media in late 2017, several women said the artist asked them to undress and made explicit comments to them when they visited his studio. Chuck Close had denied these allegations, but the National Gallery of Art in Washington had given up on dedicating an exhibition to him in early 2018.

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