Born in France and raised in the United States, Nicole Eisenman studied at the Rhode Island School of Design. She gained early recognition for her large-scale paintings that subvert traditional portraiture and genre scenes, establishing her as a significant voice in contemporary figurative art.

Her practice spans painting, drawing, and sculpture, frequently employing a style that oscillates between caricature and psychological depth. Her work often explores themes of identity, gender, and the human condition, drawing on a wide range of influences from Old Masters to comic strips.

Eisenman has received significant institutional recognition, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and a MacArthur Fellowship. Her work has been featured in multiple Whitney Biennials and continues to be a subject of major museum exhibitions globally.