The Condiments of Art

The Condiments of Art, (Swiss painter Not Vital in his loft), New York, 1976

The painter Not Vital poses with a glass of wine and a cigarette in front of his painting casting his profile in shadow onto the painting.

This is an archival gelatin silver print made in 2024 from a 1976 4"x5" Tri-X pan negative made with a Crown Graphic 4"x5" camera

This photograph is signed on verso by David Greene and numbered 2 of 15

The image is 8" x 10" on 11" x 14" paper (unframed)

Note from David Greene: 

I photographed the Swiss artist, Not Vital, in his loft in New York in 1976.  We spent an afternoon drinking wine and discussing the art scene. Not was friends with Willem de Kooning. Earlier that day, they had discussed the evolution of abstract expressionism. They also talked about the role of coffee and other stimulants in getting work done. Not was making abstract paintings in shades of gray during this period. As we talked, Not was smoking, drinking and painting on a large canvas all at the same time. I said, "These are the condiments of art. Let's do a photograph about that."  With his wine glass and cigarette prominently in focus, Not’s profile is seen in shadow against the canvas of his ‘shades of gray’ painting.