I chose to write about a portrait that I sit in front of everyday in Berkeley college dining hall. I think it is one of the most bizarre portraits on Yale’s campus solely because of the three flying Berkeley crests that are flying toward’s the subject at a forceful diagonal direction.
After standing on a chair, I read that the portrait is of the head of college Harry Stover Stout and was painted by Richard Reglas. The painting could be about 6 by 4 feet and painted with oil paint. I was not able to find any more information about it online.
The depiction of Mr. Stout is very intriguing. His flesh is imbued with different blues and reds and the stark contrast of his depiction and the dark background is very striking. It stands apart from the other portraits because of the lack of a setting and his candid expression, but the strange placement of the green line that runs across the top of the composition and the flying crests makes the whole thing completely bizarre.
What a weird portrait! I think I heard a really interesting story about the painting at some point, but I totally forgot what it was. You’re right: the green line is super off-putting.
I was totally going to choose this one! It has made me feel uncomfortable every time I see it while eating in the BK dining hall and I just can’t figure it out. You’re absolutely right – between the green slanted line, the flying BK crests, and the extreme contrast between the subject and background, this portrait is 100% bizarre and, in my opinion, quite unappealing.