>> Currently On View at first Madison, -- frick Madison is an exhibit that Mary's subject and location.

Barclay L Hendrix portraits 14 works by the pioneering American artist Hendrix which revolutionized portraiture by combining portraits with European painting.

Frick Madison is a fitting venue.

It was the location of where in 1981, when the space was occupied, Hendrix first showed his art in New York City.

Born in 1945 in Philadelphia, Hendrix was inspired by a diverse array of sources including jazz, an African led indigenous art.

He created paintings in numerous media as well as drying collages and sculptures.

He was also an accomplished photographer and he often based his painted portraits on photos he had taken in his studio or on the street.

Beginning in the late 1960's, Hendrix drew inspiration from traditions of European art such as Byzantine icons and Renaissance paintings.

The Frick collection with its iconic portrait by Rembrandt, van Dyck, and others, was one of his favorite places to visit.

His vivid depictions of black subjects reflected the dignity and individuality of his sitters.

From 1969, it depicts his cousin, Kathy Williams.

To create it, he learned the centuries-old and painstaking technique of applying goldleaf and crafted a rounded top that echoes Renaissance art and architecture.

The title, taken from lyrics by Nina Simone, also evokes the traditional Christian Lord and mother.

Together, these elements transform what might otherwise be seen as simply contemporary portrait of a family member into a profound meditation on past and present with a touch of humor.

Hendrix often set his figures against achromatic expanse of color.

Another element inspired by Renaissance portraiture.

His backgrounds, such as in blood from 1975, were executed in Matt acrylics while the figures were painted in oil, resulting in a contrast that can only be fully appreciated in person.

The varnished faces and bodies glistened in the light as if on a separate plane from the background.

The exhibition also brings together a group of the artists so-called limited palette paintings in his white on white works in particular.

The figures brown skin tones and dark hued accessories become abstract shapes when viewed from afar while up close, the variation within the dark tones and the color white becomes evident.

He sought to make his work approachable and human.

He always requested that his paintings be hung relatively low so that they might meet the viewer's gaze eye to eye, acknowledging the inspiration of Renaissance painting.

He also wanted to create work with universal appeal.

Barclay L Hendrix portraits at the Frick are On View through January 7.