Leslie/Fingerprint

Chuck Close

Part of the Contemporary American Graphics Collection

Chuck Close, using only fingerprints, began this large-scale portrait with a small photograph of his wife, Leslie. He used a grid system to enlarge the image. Even though he used only one color, the work is full of contrasts. Close put many fingerprints close together to create dark creases in the neck and face. The cheek areas are light because there are only a few fingerprints. From a distance this portrait is in clear detail and perfect perspective. Up close, this print is an abstract work of tonalities.