Artwork
LSD 4
LSD 4 is a watercolor work on paper by Barbara Nessim. It dates from 1967 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Barbara Nessim’s 1967 watercolour entitled LSD 4 presents a close‑up portrait of a woman rendered in vivid, non‑naturalistic colour. The composition is set against a stark white background, allowing the figure’s features and surrounding decorative elements to dominate the visual field.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is depicted with curly red hair, a yellow top, a single green eye and a purple mouth, creating a striking palette that emphasizes the painting’s playful, experimental character. The exaggerated coloration suggests a departure from realistic representation, inviting viewers to consider identity through a lens of visual abstraction.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the work combines fluid washes with precise line work. Around the figure, colorful, wavy lines swirl, adding kinetic energy and a sense of spontaneity typical of 1960s experimental illustration. The contrast between the crisp white ground and the saturated pigments heightens the immediacy of the image.
Context
Created during a period when Nessim was exploring graphic design and illustration, LSD 4 reflects the era’s fascination with psychedelic aesthetics and bold colour experimentation. The title references the contemporary cultural interest in altered perception, aligning the piece with broader visual trends of the late 1960s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Barbara Nessim (born 1939) is an American artist, illustrator, and educator whose work has played a significant role in expanding the boundaries between illustration, fine art, and digital media.
