Alice Neel: I Am the Century

Compiling 60 works that are interwoven with archival documents, I Am the Century coheres into a critical and narrative journey of Alice Neel’s artistic and personal life. Contributions by curators, scholars and artists—including Kelly Richman-Abdou, Jennifer Higgie, Mira Schor and Annie Sprinkle—provide multiple perspectives on Neel’s practice, situating her radical approach to painting people within broader artistic, social and political contexts.

A pioneer who merged realism with surrealism, empathy with unflinching clarity, Neel captured the psychological and emotional depth of her sitters while addressing fundamental human issues ahead of her time. This bilingual (English/Italian) publication emphasizes her capacity to chronicle life’s stages and relationships—childhood and adulthood, sexuality and intimacy, community and political consciousness—through works that continue to resonate with contemporary audiences. Positioning Neel as both artist and witness, I Am the Century underscores her singular vision of the “human comedy,” offering readers a comprehensive entry point into a body of work that has influenced generations of artists.