Robert E. Marx

Recent Paintings

Showing November 6-28, 2009

Rochester artist Robert E. Marx’s recent paintings on linen are rich and varied. Small to medium in size, these thoughtful images address the “exclusivity of the institutions of church and state, abuse of both spouse and child, and our own and others’ personal fears and insecurities.” The distended and sometimes bound figures he portrays wear symbols of subjugation such as masks, chains, hats that cover ears and eyes, and clothing that restricts movement. Marx mourns the autonomy humans give up and sees many people as scared, willing pawns. Some of his figures gaze out with a hollowness, a vessel drained of heavy emotion. Others challenge the viewer with an intriguing ambiguity of intent.

Marx’s painting process is fluid; it involves a constant reworking of his subject and his surface, painting and completely repainting each successive layer. The result is a subtle but complex surface where line and color is animated by the barely-visible underpainting. Marx works with a paintbrush thick with oil but employs crisp lines. He often works into the wet paint by etching with metal stamps or drawing with a sharp point.

Marx’s long and illustrious career includes recognition as a master printmaker, an illustrator of more than a dozen books, a distinguished professor of art, and a Fullbright scholar. He has had over 40 solo exhibitions of his prints, sculptures, and paintings around the world. His work is included in the permanent collections of numerous public and private institutions including the Brooklyn Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Corcoran Gallery, National Museum of American Art, Dallas Museum, Los Angeles County Museum, Philadelphia Museum, Whitney Museum, and the Seattle Art Museum.

More Paintings . Sculptures . Prints . Drawings

Paintings . Sculptures . Prints . Drawings

For pricing and availability, please contact our department.

For pricing and availability, please contact our department.