Portrait paintings satisfy our deepest desire to look, past a fleeting moment, at another human being. In a sense, the art of portraiture acts as both a lens and mirror. We see what makes another individual unique and simultaneously experience our own humanity.

I believe portraiture can remind us of what we are missing—real people of unusual beauty, depth, and complexity. In fact, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the necessity of perceiving other people, other cultures, and our shared humanity has ever been more important.