Truth & Vision: 21st Century Realism

October 22, 2016 - January 22, 2017

Inspired by Robert C. Jackson’s 2014 publication, Behind the Easel: The Unique Voices of 20 Contemporary Representational Painters, this exhibition surveys the state of realistic painting at the start of the 21st century. Indicative of this moment are two trends in representational painting–the depiction of the natural world and the creation of fantastic imaginings. Featuring artists from throughout the United States and Canada, including Steven Assael, Bo Bartlett, Debra Bermingham, Margaret Bowland, Paul Fenniak, Scott Fraser, Woody Gwyn, F. Scott Hess, Laurie Hogin, Robert C. Jackson, Alan Magee, Janet Monafo, John Moore, Charles Pfahl, Scott Prior, Stone Roberts, Sandra Mendelsohn Rubin, Daniel Sprick, Will Wilson, and Jerome Witkin, Truth & Vision: 21st Century Realism reveals the contemporary developments in a mode of painting historically tied to the greater Brandywine Valley.

“Gutsy and provocative…” – Philadelphia Inquirer
“The Delaware Art Museum’s broad survey shows that representational painting is alive and well.” – Art & Antiques Magazine

To view large images and caption information, click below.

: Passengers, 2009. Steven Assael (born 1957). Oil on canvas, 72 x 90 inches. Collection of John B. Bolton. © Steven Assael, Courtesy of Forum Gallery, New York.

: Treasury, 2009. Alan Magee (born 1947). Acrylic on panel, 23 3/4 × 17 3/4 inches. Courtesy of Forum Gallery, New York, NY. © Alan Magee, Courtesy of Forum Gallery, New York.

: Departure, 2012. Paul Fenniak (born 1965). Oil on canvas, 52 × 42 inches. Courtesy of Forum Gallery, New York, NY. © Paul Fenniak, Courtesy of Forum Gallery, New York.

: Enough with the Bubbles, 2015.Robert C. Jackson (born 1964). Oil on linen, 30 × 72 inches. Courtesy of Somerville Manning Gallery. © Robert C. Jackson.

: Lemon Fall, 2015. Scott Fraser (born 1957). Oil on board, 51 1/2 × 66 inches. © Scott Fraser. Courtesy of Quidley & Company.

: Infrastructure, 2012. Will Wilson. Oil on canvas, 15 3/4 × 15 3/4 inches. Courtesy of John Pence Gallery.

: Listening to Dave Brubeck: Bob Fry e and Dick LaBonda, 2012. Jerome Witkin (born 1939)/ Oil on canvas, 68 × 57 1/2 in. (172.7 × 146.1 cm). Courtesy of Jack Rutberg Fine Arts, Los Angeles, CA © Courtesy Jack Rutberg Fine Arts, Los Angeles.

: Manzano, 2013. Woody Gwyn (born 1944). Egg tempera on panel, 44 × 44 in. (111.8 × 111.8 cm). Collection of Denny and Gail Cresap © Woody Gwyn.

: Self Portrait with Upturned Collar, 2011. F. Scott Hess (born 1955). Oil on aluminum panel, 24 × 18 in. (61 × 45.7 cm). Collection of John and Cindy Smet. © Courtesy of the artist and Koplin Del Rio Gallery.

: Valley in Early Summer, 2008. Sandra Mendelsohn Rubin (born 1947). Oil on polyester, 9 × 54 in. (22.9 × 137.2 cm).Courtesy of L.A. Louver, Venice, CA. © Sandra Mendelsohn Rubin. Courtesy of L.A. Louver, Venice, CA.

: Worm Moon/Black Locust, 2009. Debra Bermingham (born 1953). Oil on panel, 21 1/2 × 35 inches (54.6 × 88.9 cm). Courtesy of Elizabeth Garvey, Garvey Simon Art Access, LLC. © Debra Bermingham. Image courtesy of DC Moore Gallery, New York.

: Kingdom of Ends, 2009. Bo Bartlett (born 1955). Oil on canvas, 82 x 82 inches. Private Collection. © Bo Bartlett.

: Amygdala Love and Poison Birds #2 (green cake), 2014. Laurie Hogin. Oil on panel, 8 1/2 × 11 inches. Courtesy of Littlejohn Contemporary © Laurie Hogin.

: Grand Central Terminal: An Early December Noon in the Main Concourse, 2009-2012. Stone Roberts (born 1951). Oil on linen, 74 × 76 inches (188 × 193 cm). From the Louis-Dreyfus Family Collection, courtesy of The William Louis-Dreyfus Foundation Inc. © Stone Roberts.

: Silver Cluster (West View), 2007. Janet Monafo. Pastel on paper, 50 × 38 in. (127 × 96.5 cm). Collection of Gail and Ernst von Metzsch. © Janet Monafo.

: Self Portrait, 2013. Daniel Sprick (born 1953). Oil on panel, 20 × 16 in. (50.8 × 40.6 cm). Courtesy of the artist.

Exhibition-Related Events

Slow Art Tours
Sundays, January 15 | 1:00 p.m.

Artist Gallery Chats:
Daniel Sprick — Thursday, January 19 | 6:00 p.m.

Realist Oil Painting Workshop
Wednesdays, January 11 – March 15 (10 weeks) | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

ORGANIZER & SPONSORS

This exhibition was organized by the Delaware Art Museum.

In Delaware, this exhibition is made possible by the Emily du Pont Memorial Exhibition Fund. Supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.