Abstracted Runner (Study for Track and Field Series)
Painting on canvas, portrait format • Attributed to the circle of British figurative artists like Francis Bacon or American Neo-Expressionists; strongly evokes the style of Rick Herold or early 1970s sports-themed abstraction.
Style & Movement
Mid-century Figurative Abstraction / New Figuration. Influenced by British School of Expressionism and Pop Art color palettes.
Medium & Technique
Mixed media including oil, acrylic, and charcoal/graphite drawing. Employs gestural abstraction, layered washes, and wet-on-wet brushwork with graphic outlines.
Creation Period
Circa 1968-1975
Dimensions & Format
Large scale, approximately 48 x 36 inches; vertical (portrait) orientation in a simple wood lath frame.
Subject Description
An abstracted, deconstructed human figure in a state of high-velocity motion, likely a runner or athlete. The composition uses dynamic diagonal lines and vibrant bands of orange, green, and black to suggest a track or arena setting. The figure is rendered with exposed anatomical structural lines, suggesting speed and physiological strain.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The canvas appears taut, but there are visible surface scuffs and possible minor pigment loss in the darker passages.
Estimated Market Value
$5,000 - $12,000 (pending definitive artist identification)
Auction Estimate
$4,000 - $8,000
Provenance History
Unknown; visible gallery or auction tag in upper right corner suggests recent secondary market activity. Style suggests a Western (UK or US) institutional or private collection origin.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the post-war transition from pure abstraction back to the figure, capturing the zeitgeist of the late 20th-century obsession with human performance and kinetic energy. It mirrors the 'School of London' approach to the visceral human form.
Notable Features
Unique combination of raw charcoal sketching directly on top of finished paint layers to define anatomy; high-contrast 'safety orange' palette typical of late 60s design.
Condition Issues
Visible surface grime, minor abrasions near the edges, and some yellowing of the lighter impasto areas which may indicate aging varnish or binder oxidation.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a professional conservator; UV-protective glazing if displayed in bright areas; check for stable adhesion of thick paint layers.