Mid-Century Modern Portrait of the Artist's Son by Philip Behymer (1936–2013)

Details

Description

Mid-Century Modern Portrait of the Artist's Son by Philip Behymer (1936–2013)

Offered is a striking and deeply personal mid-century modern … Read more Mid-Century Modern Portrait of the Artist's Son by Philip Behymer (1936–2013)

Offered is a striking and deeply personal mid-century modern oil on canvas painting by American artist and educator Philip Behymer. This large-scale work features a tender portrait of the artist's son set against a vibrant, meticulously detailed paisley-patterned background. Behymer was known for his "gritty and larger than life" hyper-realistic style, often juxtaposing realistic figures with intricate decorative motifs to create profound psychological depth.

The reverse of the painting includes several important provenance markers: a handwritten label identifying the subject as "(my son)", a gallery or exhibition label marked "CAT. NO. 17", and the notation "CRATE 3". This piece is a quintessential example of Behymer's regional Texas influence and his celebrated "Man is the Metaphor" series.

Artist: Philip Behymer (American, 1936–2013)
Dimensions: 24" H x 39" W (Art); 25" H x 40" W (Framed)

Condition:
The painting is in vintage condition with character-adding signs of age:
Surface: Natural craquelure (fine cracking) is visible on the subject's face. The textured green wall section features intentional artistic cracking, while small scattered white specks of minor pigment loss and surface scuffs are present in the paisley background.
Structural: The canvas shows some lifting and fraying along the edges, particularly at the corners where there is minor material loss to the support board.
Mounting: The original wooden frame is structurally sound but shows significant surface wear, scuffs, and some loosening from the painting's support.

A powerful and intimate work by a respected Texas artist, this portrait offers a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a meaningful family piece with exceptional visual presence and historical provenance. See less