Madeline

Madeline by R.C. Gorman is a delicate oil pastel portrait study featuring a Navajo woman shown in profile, wrapped in a flowing white sheet or blanket. Her face is rendered with sensitivity, capturing thoughtful expression and subtle facial contours, while her long dark hair flows freely. The minimalist composition—white fabric against pale background with only her face and hand colored in warm peachy tones—emphasizes quiet strength and introspection. The sparse use of color and careful draftsmanship demonstrate Gorman’s skill in figurative drawing and his ability to convey presence and dignity through restraint. The work feels intimate and contemplative, a study in human beauty and cultural identity. A treasured acquisition for collectors of Gorman figure studies, oil pastel works, and Southwest fine art emphasizing the subtle power of indigenous feminine presence.