Francis Littna Last Supper, C. 1960 Signed Oil on Canvas - Modernist Religious

Details

Description

A modern-surrealist oil on canvas titled "The Last Supper" by Michigan artist Francis Littna. Circa 1960. The central figure of … Read more A modern-surrealist oil on canvas titled "The Last Supper" by Michigan artist Francis Littna. Circa 1960. The central figure of Christ is surrounded by a ring of apostles, their exaggerated features and expressive gestures rendered in bold, almost theatrical color contrasts. A dynamic vortex of radiating lines and symbolic imagery occupies the center of the composition, evoking themes of divine revelation, human frailty, and spiritual conflict. Interwoven among the figures are smaller, dreamlike human forms - nude, fragmented, and gestural - that add layers of allegory and psychological tension. This painting exemplifies Littna's fearless approach to religious subject matter, merging narrative intensity with a vivid, hallucinatory style that captures both the sacred and the unsettling.
Provenance: From a private collection in Metro Detroit; acquired directly from the artist's estate via Francis Littna?s widow, Victora Littna. Dimensions: 56.75"h x 46.75"w x 2.25"d (framed). In 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