File talk:1990 - Larry Blauvelt.jpg

Whether death comes in old age or way too early, the reality of the portrait is its remaining in the world afterwards. The portrait is ultimately a message from the beyond sent through time into an unknowable future. A person well into that future may have a relationship with the face of someone living centuries before. In that silent comprehension, the greater the time between generations, the greater the compassion shared.

The openness in the face that welcomes the beholder is often what is rejected by the person sitting. All too often they feel vulnerable before the world. But that is what makes for the greatest portraits. The person in the portrait need understand that he or she is submitting the Self to the scrutiny of Time. The face in the portrait may as well drop alibi and disguise, leaving only naked honesty to bear witness that we all must bow to whatever Fate sends us.

However, issues were raised in painting Larry Blauvelt of the subject allowing himself to be 'used' or 'objectified' for others' scrutiny. Here then is a man dying, who knows he's dying and who will be dead soon. Is this strictly ethical? Had I taken advantage of Larry's vulnerability? Was there a relinquishing of his rights even though he participated willingly? Because it is a little macabre. But does that mean it was wrong as Larry was finally playing the role of jis life. He was leaving a farewell salute to the living.

-Richard Rappaport

Larry Blauvelt's two portraits are placed on a two-page ad spread in Artforum, November 2000.