Painter

Audrey Flack

Audrey Flack was an American Photorealist painter known for luminous still lifes, symbolic objects, religious imagery, and richly detailed surfaces.

Audrey Flack quick facts

Flack developed intensely detailed, photograph-based paintings and symbolic vanitas still lifes before shifting much of her career toward sculpture.

Audrey Flack quick facts
Full nameAudrey Lenora Flack
Born1931 · New York City, New York, United States
Died2024 · Southampton, New York, United States
NationalityAmerican
MovementsPhotorealism; Abstract Expressionism (earlier)
Paint typesOil Paint · Acrylic Paint
Other mediaPhotography · sculpture
Other materials—
Painting surfacesCanvas
Painting methodsProjecting or tracing photographic references, detailed layering, airbrush work, and oil applications over acrylic underpainting
Common subjectsLipsticks, clocks, fruit, flowers, jewelry, religious statues, historical figures, and women's lives
Notable worksMacarena of Miracles · Leonardo's Lady · Queen · World War II (Vanitas)

Sources: The Met: Macarena of Miracles, oil on canvas, MoMA: Leonardo's Lady, oil over acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian: Queen, acrylic on canvas, PAFA: World War II (Vanitas), oil over acrylic, Smithsonian: Audrey Flack biography.

Paint types used by Audrey Flack

Flack used acrylic alone and beneath oil; The Met lists Macarena of Miracles as oil on canvas, while MoMA records oil over acrylic in Leonardo’s Lady.

Sources: The Met: Macarena of Miracles, MoMA: Leonardo's Lady, and Smithsonian American Art Museum: Queen.

Painting surfaces used by Audrey Flack

Flack’s paintings are documented on canvas, while later sculpture marks a distinct phase; examples link this support to her cataloged painting practice.

Sources: The Met: Macarena of Miracles, oil on canvas, MoMA: Leonardo's Lady, oil over acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian: Queen, acrylic on canvas, PAFA: World War II (Vanitas), oil over acrylic, Smithsonian: Audrey Flack biography.

Painters similar to Audrey Flack

Estes and Close also drew on photography, while Flack developed symbolic still lifes with personal references and carefully arranged objects.

Richard Estes

Richard Estes is an American Photorealist painter known for detailed city streets, glass storefronts, mirrored reflections, and bright urban daylight.

Chuck Close

Chuck Close was an American Photorealist painter whose monumental portraits grew from photographic grids, airbrushed tones, and later colored cells.