Francis Littna Apocalypse, 1968 Signed Oil on Canvas Modernist Religious

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A modern oil on canvas titled "Apocalypse" by Michigan artist Francis Littna. Signed, titled, and dated on verso. The painting … Read more A modern oil on canvas titled "Apocalypse" by Michigan artist Francis Littna. Signed, titled, and dated on verso. The painting delivers a vivid and deeply personal vision of the cataclysmic events described in the Book of Revelation. The work portrays man's destiny hanging in the balance, with the Four Horsemen - symbols of conquest, slaughter, famine, and death - charging through the scene beneath an ominous, eclipsed sun. Figures in varying states of anguish and transcendence populate the foreground, their elongated, contorted forms rendered in dynamic, jewel-like colors. Explosions of light, fire, and cosmic energy heighten the drama, evoking the prelude to God's final judgement. This monumental oil captures Littna?s singular approach to religious surrealism, merging modernist abstraction with intense narrative imagery to convey an overwhelming sense of power, mystery, and awe.

Provenance: From a private collection in Metro Detroit; acquired directly from the artist's estate via Francis Littna's widow, Victora Littna. "Apocalypse" was curated in the artist's solo exhibition at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, November 4-18, 1975 (catalog #48). Copy of exhibition catalog via the listing. Dimensions: 41"h x 51"w x 1.25"d (framed). In very good vintage condition. Full condition reports are available upon request.

Francis Littna (1901-1973) was a modernist painter recognized for his bold, emotionally charged compositions that fused surrealism, symbolism, and religious themes. His works, often inspired by biblical narratives and human destiny, garnered attention for their striking color palettes, dynamic figuration, and visionary intensity. Littna exhibited in respected galleries during the mid-20th century, earning critical praise for his ability to merge spiritual allegory with modernist abstraction. His paintings are held in private and institutional collections, celebrated for their dramatic storytelling and distinctive, imaginative style. See less