Bratby, John - Walker A dangerous man
Artist:
Bratby, John
Materials: Oil on canvas
Dimensions (cm):
127 x 101.5
Dimensions (inches): 50 x 40
Frame:
Good stained wood frame
Stock No:
1058
Provenance: REFA acquisition
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Genre: Human figure, Portrait
Tags:
Description
A big picture in every way!
Bratby's portraits vary enormously in quality but this is without doubt one of the strongest. Walker was a dissolute young man who was very much into drugs and alcohol and - according to Bratby - had a talent for inciting others to take up similar pursuits.
There is no shortage of ambiguity here. What, for instance, is Walker holding in his hand? Is it a book - or a meat cleaver!
Technically this is a remarkable painting too. The impasto oil paint is sculpturally thick, with a vigorous use of contrasting colours, especially in the subject's face, where they clash in almost hallucinogenic fashion when viewed up close.
The painting comes with a provenance letter from the Bratby specialist and author, Jonathan Riley, relating how he discussed the painting and its subject with Bratby himself at the artist's home in Hastings.