Overpainted Plate from the Picasso Project
Mixed media painting on paper support (printed book plate) • David Carrino
Style & Movement
Contemporary Abstract Expressionism; Neo-Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil or acrylic paint applied over a printed photomechanical reproduction (monotype-like application). The technique involves gestural impasto, wet-on-wet blending, and rhythmic linear brushwork.
Creation Period
2002 (Dated January 20, 2002, in the lower left margin)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 9 inches; portrait orientation
Subject Description
An abstract composition featuring swirling, serpentine lines of white and pale pink paint layered over a dense, dark background. The work utilizes the base image of a Picasso reproduction (visible text at bottom) as a structural foundation, which the artist has obscured to create a new narrative centered on motion and color interaction.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-preserved within a professional gallery mount.
Estimated Market Value
$2,500 – $4,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,500 – $3,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a contemporary art gallery or direct studio sale. The inscription '1/20/02' indicates the specific day of execution. The 'DC' initials in the lower right correspond to David Carrino.
Art Historical Significance
This piece is representative of Carrino’s practice of 'overpainting' or transforming existing art historical records. By using a monograph page of Picasso, the artist engages in a dialogue between cubism/modernism and contemporary abstraction, questioning the permanence of the art historical canon.
Notable Features
Hand-dated '1/20/02' and initialed 'DC' in graphite. Distinctive contrast between the mechanical printing process of the background and the fluid, impasto application of the foreground paint.
Condition Issues
None visible; no signs of foxing, acidity from the paper, or paint lifting.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep framed under UV-protective glass to prevent fading of the underlying print and pigment. Maintain a stable environment with 50% humidity to prevent warping of the paper support.