Signed and dated lower right: Oliveira 97
John Berggruen Gallery, San Francisco, California, "Nathan Oliveira: Recent Paintings and Works on Paper," September 18-November 1, 1997.
John Berggruen Gallery, San Francisco, California; Private collection.
Nathan Oliveira (1928-2010) Dog with Stelae, 1997 Oil and alkyd enamel on canvas 84 x 66 inches (213.4 x 167.6 cm) Signed and dated lower right: Oliveira 97 PROVENANCE: John Berggruen Gallery, San Francisco, California; Private collection, acquired from the above. EXHIBITED: John Berggruen Gallery, San Francisco, California, "Nathan Oliveira: Recent Paintings and Works on Paper," September 18-November 1, 1997. LITERATURE: John Berggruen Gallery, Nathan Oliveira: Recent Paintings and Works on Paper, exhibition catalogue, San Francisco, California, 1997, pp. 10-11, illustrated in color. NOTE: This lot is accompanied by a 17-inch high Murano glass sculpture signed by Dino Rosin and dated 1997. The stylized depiction of embracing figures in amber and clear glass closely resembles Oliveira's stelae and compliments the work. The sculpture and painting come from the same private collection where they were displayed together in dialogue. Nathan Oliveira, born in 1928 in Oakland, California, and a pivotal figure in the Bay Area Figurative Movement, is celebrated for his unique blend of figuration and abstraction, especially in depicting human forms amidst emotionally charged or undefined spaces. His works, often featuring introspective figures set against a rich palette, delve into themes of isolation and the human experience. Oliveira's technique, marked by textured, layered paint, enhances the viewer's engagement with his exploration of human conditions. In Dog with Stelae, Oliveira crafts a striking visual narrative through the placement of an upright stone stelae in the foreground, symbolizing memory and permanence, against a faintly depicted dog in the background, which evokes themes of loyalty, transience, and companionship. This juxtaposition deepens the work's emotional resonance, inviting viewers to ponder the interplay between temporal and eternal elements, and the complex bonds between humans and the natural world. Beyond his artwork, Oliveira was also a dedicated educator, influencing generations of artists through his teaching at Stanford University. His legacy is cemented not only in his evocative works but also in his significant impact on the art community and his students. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Condition report available upon request. This lot is offered unframed.
