The unique and varied richness in “Ben Aronson: Here and Now,” an exhibition of 20 cityscapes at Jenkins Johnson Gallery, is seemingly endless.
At first glance, the works — picturing New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Rome — appear to be photographs. Closer inspection, however, reveals them to be paintings copied from photos, but never literally. The photos serve more as inspirations for the final product, which turns out to be paintings with photographic sensibilities.
The ultimate strength of the work, however, lies in a diversified use of light and color — at times part of a story, at others, an intensity of atmosphere. Bluish coloring, interspersed with white, becomes a theme in itself in “Angel Island from Russian Hill,” a 60-by-60-inch oil on panel.
