James Stephens - Picnic, 1988 Oil on Canvas Contemporary Figurative Surrealism

Details

Description

A contemporary oil on canvas titled "Picnic" by James Stephens. Created in 1988. From a private collection. Acquired from Broadway … Read more A contemporary oil on canvas titled "Picnic" by James Stephens. Created in 1988. From a private collection. Acquired from Broadway Gallery; original gallery tag on verso. Dimensions: 56"h x 50.5"w x 2"d (stretched, unframed). In good vintage condition.
This figurative painting depicts a surreal, dreamlike scene. At its center, a reclining nude figure with a dramatically lit red hue gazes outward, set against a richly textured, almost classical landscape backdrop. The foreground features a patterned textile and a teal plate holding fruit, adding a still-life quality to the composition. The outer border, with its mottled metallic finish, frames the inner image like a window into an alternate reality. The juxtaposition of realism, abstraction, and surreal color effects creates a visually arresting narrative that balances intimacy with theatricality.
James Stephens (b. 1960, Detroit) is a Midwest painter known for his surreal landscapes and allegorical compositions. A graduate of the College for Creative Studies (B.F.A., 1982), Stephens held his first solo exhibition in 1988 and has since exhibited widely throughout the region. In 2007, he was honored with a Mid-Career Retrospective at Oakland University. His works are held in numerous collections, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, affirming his significance within the contemporary Midwest art scene. See less