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Signed Limited Edition Chuck Close relief print with embossing entitled, "Phil" is signed _Chuck Close 2002_ by the artist and numbered lower left 27 of 40. Printed by Dieu Donne, handmade paper atelier in New York City. One of three variations, this one is grayish-blue while the others were rendered in white and black.

Chuck Close (1940-) Although originally well-known for his photo realist works, in the past thirty years, Close has transcended that genre with his own unique portraiture style. He received his MFA from Yale University in 1966 and his "portrait" paintings are in over 50 major museum collections. In 1988 a retrospective of his work began a nation-wide tour at the Museum of Modern Art.

Although he is considered one of the greatest artists of the Photo Realist movement, Chuck Close sees himself a someone who builds "painting experiences for the viewer." Chuck Close created larger than life images of a variety of individuals that represent all walks of life. Often rendering his subjects in an unusually up close manner allows Close to capture the true essence of the individuals he is studying.

Experimenting with his photographic portraits, Close added a new dimension by transforming his photographs into fragmented paintings, as seen in "Phil." One of his favorite subjects to depict throughout his career, Philip Glass is a popular and prominent contemporary musical composer. Close renders the musician in an up close and frontal position, breaking down every aspect of his facial structure in a fragmented manner. Close's style connects the viewer with the subject in an intimate and personal manner, while examining every facet of the subject.