chlorosis.

a few years back on a weekend trip to the MOMA, i stumbled upon this piece, done by south african artist Marlene Dumas, and was so drawn in to this day i consider it a favorite. an artwork based on polaroid portraits of subjects fallen with chlorosis, an ancient disease. lovesick disease. a bunch of faces, beautiful but disturbing, their haunting expressions told the story of a love gone wrong. the disease, marked by a greenish skin tone, is supposed to have affected young females who were suffering from unrequited love. the artist drew twenty-four faces. each one on their own separate panel. 


it is no longer on view but couldn't help but share. 

marlene dumas, chlorosis (1994)