Alice Neel (1900–1984) was an American painter celebrated for her psychologically nuanced portraits. Born in Merion Square, Pennsylvania, Neel studied at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now Moore College of Art & Design) before moving to New York City, where she spent most of her life. Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including periods of financial hardship and being largely overlooked by the mainstream art world for years, Neel persevered in her artistic pursuits. She gained recognition later in her career, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, as the feminist movement brought greater attention to women artists.

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Neel's work is characterized by its emotional depth and keen observations of human vulnerability. She painted friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers, capturing not just physical likenesses but also the complexities of their personalities and lives. Her style, often described as expressionistic realism, employed bold colors and loose brushwork, giving her portraits an immediate, almost confrontational quality.