Art can never be truly completed, only uninhabited. The process of creating a work is a constant evolution passed down through generations of creators with no definite end. This idea addresses a critical aspect of the creative process; the completeness of a work of art. Unfinished art represents the cracks in history, luring viewers along the path of creative expression, and producing a deep understanding of the artistic process and impulses. While countless works have been destroyed, and others forgotten, the aura of mystery that they provide allows them to hold a special place in art history, as they bring us closer to understanding the enigmatic process of creation, and ultimately, the work’s future.
“Atlas Slave” by Michelangelo (1525–1530)
The incomplete state of these paintings has fascinated viewers and artists for generations, serving as a focal point for discussions on the nature of artistic completeness. Philosopher Pliny provided insights into this discussion, noting that many esteemed works were inscribed in the imperfect tense, "faciebat," indicating ongoing creation rather than completion. This "Plinian Signature" reflected the artist's modesty and the acknowledgment that the creative process was never truly finished. Renaissance masterpieces like Michelangelo’s Pieta bore this signature, underscoring the artist's ongoing involvement and paying homage to those who came before.
In the painting "La Scapigliata," attributed to the renowned Leonardo da Vinci and dating back to around 1500–1505, we are captivated by a young woman with disheveled hair, her gaze seemingly lost in profound contemplation. One striking aspect of this unfinished masterpiece is the absence of formal attire, suggesting a deliberate departure from conventional portraiture norms. This deviation epitomizes da Vinci's penchant for capturing the raw essence of naturalism and emotion.
Speculation surrounds the origins of this artwork. Some propose that it was commissioned for a private patron, which could account for its intimate style and apparent unfinished state. The painting appears barely sketched in, with a primed yet unpainted background, leaving much to the imagination.
However, it is precisely this unfinished quality that enhances the allure of "La Scapigliata." Like a tantalizing puzzle, it beckons viewers to contemplate not only its meaning but also the intriguing story behind its creation. Perhaps da Vinci deliberately left the painting incomplete, intending to convey a sense of spontaneity and raw emotion. Alternatively, unforeseen circumstances may have interrupted the artist's work, leaving the piece in its unfinished state. Regardless of the reason, the unresolved elements of the painting invite endless interpretation and speculation, drawing viewers into its enigmatic beauty.
The use of storytelling and historical context in unfinished work is possibly best recognized in the iconic work “Black Draftee (James Hunter)” by Alice Neel (60 x 40in, oil on canvas, 1965). The painting portrays James Hunter, an individual drafted to partake in the Vietnam war, in a calm, but pensive state. The work portrays a single painted section, the face and a hand, as Hunter never returned for a second sitting and Neel declared the work complete. This story permeates through the work as the sketched body, although lacking detail, provides the viewer with the impression of movement from the contrasting light and dark linework and the detailed face bringing a depth of emotion that could not be replicated with a “completed” work. The lack of filled space around the subject allows the viewer to truly discover the emotional complexity of the individual and perfectly portrays the loneliness that is seemingly felt by him. Despite the brutalized shapes the piece maintains a self contained movement, rhythm, and peace while communicating the uncertainty, isolation, and anxiety felt by the sitter.
It is the unfinishedness of the piece that conveys this emotion, without it, the work’s historical context, story, and portrayal of empathy within the viewer, would not be as powerful. Additionally, the deliberate decision to publish the work in its state speaks to the identity of the artist, the messages being conveyed, and the mystery of the subject matter whose whereabouts remain unknown to this day.
Through undermining the complexity, emotional impact, and context of the individual in the works title, the viewer is forced to discover the models identity through introspection and historical research. The piece conveys these ideas while standing alone in its minimalism, exchanging it’s emotional power for the viewer’s attention while stripping back the elements that traditionally create a completed painting.
"Treaty of Paris" by Benjamin West (1783)
Unfinished work grants viewership beneath physical materials and into the thoughts, emotions, and historical context of the artist and art. The beauty and wonder of unfinished art remains today, in a world void of anonymity and modesty. It reminds us that artists are not fundamentally different from us, but human beings who live in time and space, who are both making history and being subjected to it. Michelangelo once wrote “Beauty is the purgation of superfluities”. It is the wonder and mystery that draws humans to the unknown, and incomplete art will constantly serve as a reminder that art need not be finished to be meaningful.
