Brown works primarily with oil on canvas, employing expressive brushwork and a vivid palette that recall the techniques of Abstract Expressionism. Her paintings often depict fragmented bodies, ambiguous forms, and verdant environments that seem to oscillate between chaos and order. She explores themes of sensuality, excess, and the transitory nature of perception, frequently drawing upon literary and cinematic sources for inspiration.
Cecily Brown, 'High Society' (1998) Oil on Linen, 76 x 98 in.
Martin and Toni Sosnoff © Cecily Brown.
Photograph: Rob McKeever. Courtesy of Gagosian.
Her style is characterised by vigorous, gestural brushwork and a complex layering of color and form. Her compositions often feature a sense of flux, with figures emerging and dissolving into painterly abstraction. Whilst she embraces the spontaneity of abstraction, she also incorporates figurative elements, challenging the viewer’s perception and interpretation of her works. This tension between representation and abstraction places her in a lineage with artists such as Willem de Kooning and Francis Bacon, while her energetic application of the paint echoes the dynamism of the New York School.
This Bacon —esque blending of abstraction with figurative elements can be clearly seen in LYRA’s own work by Brown entitled Skulldiver II (2006). Here, an abstract expressionist style is combined with figurative, classical and erotic references that in turn draw inspiration from a group of artists who practiced in another era entirely — the Old Masters — whose own racy works scandalised people during the Renaissance despite being hidden behind religious imagery.
The Tender Trapp 11, 1988.
Oil on Linen, 193x249.5cm
After completing her studies at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, Brown moved to New York in the 1990s, where she became associated with the resurgence of painting at the turn of the millennium. Her work quickly garnered attention, leading to exhibitions at major institutions such as the Gagosian Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Her success has been marked by critical acclaim and commercial demand, positioning her as one of the most influential painters of her generation.
Brown’s work engages with a diverse range of influences, spanning Old Masters to contemporary culture. She frequently references Baroque and Rococo painters such as Peter Paul Rubens and Jean-Honoré Fragonard, borrowing their rich compositions and dynamic movement. Additionally, she draws inspiration from modernist and post-war painters, including de Kooning, Bacon, and Cy Twombly. These influences manifest in her exploration of materiality, gesture, and the human form. Beyond historical art references, Brown is also influenced by literature and film, often incorporating narrative elements into her works. She has cited authors such as D.H. Lawrence and films by director David Lynch as sources of inspiration, using these references to inform the emotive and psychological depth of her paintings.
Cecily Brown, 'Skulldiver II' (2006) Oil on Linen, 85 x 89 in.
© Cecily Brown
Courtesy of LYRA Foundation
The work held by LYRA — Skulldiver II (2006) — is a fine example of Brown’s ability to work to scale. This particular work, executed in oil on linen, is certainly not small (at 215.9 x 226.1 cm). Yet this scale is typical of Brown’s artistic practice, which utilises size — as well as subject and stylistic virtuosity — to make an arresting impact that causes passers-by to stop in their tracks. In the cast of Skulldiver II (2006), every corner of the vast canvas surface is activated by writhing, protean brushstrokes; the work’s climactic energy is palpable — an erotic charge passing through the two figures at the centre and electrifying the entire composition. Richly painted in thick, gestural marks of variegated fleshy tones, this work is one of four ‘Skulldiver’ paintings focused on the same explicit theme. It was included in Brown’s 2008 exhibition with Gagosian in New York alongside two other works from the series, one of which is now held in the permanent collection of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Cecily Brown, ‘The Triumph of Death’ (2019) 5.36 sq m. In situ in Blenheim Palace
Photograph by Tom Lindboe
Courtesy of Cecily Brown
Cecily Brown’s works address the themes of desire, fragmentation, and the instability of vision. Her paintings often depict bodies in states of flux, dissolving into the surrounding brushwork and creating an interplay between presence and absence. This evokes questions about perception and the limits of representation, compelling viewers to engage with the ambiguity of her images. Many of her works also address themes of decadence, drawing parallels between contemporary society and historical depictions of excess. By referencing erotic imagery, mythological scenes, and classical motifs, Brown examines the enduring nature of human desires and their shifting representations over time.
Cecily Brown, ‘Selfie’ (2020) Oil on linen, 43 x 47 inches
© Cecily Brown
Courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cecily Brown’s oeuvre represents a dynamic fusion of abstraction and figuration, demonstrating a deep engagement with art history while pushing the boundaries of contemporary painting. Her bold, gestural approach and rich thematic content have solidified her as a leading figure in the art world. Through her evocative and immersive works, she continues to challenge traditional notions of representation and perception, ensuring her relevance in the ongoing evolution of painting.