Submerged in Summer
Painting on canvas • Kathy Corey (Key West artist)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Impressionism / Figurative Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing Impressionistic broken brushwork and wet-on-wet techniques to capture light refractions and water movement.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (Contemporary)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 18 inches; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A close-up figurative composition depicting the back of a female figure wearing a black swimsuit, partially submerged in a swimming pool. The focus is on the interplay between the water surface, the tiled pool edge, and the light reflecting off the skin and submerged limbs.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the paint film appears stable with no significant cracking or delamination visible in the photograph.
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$400 - $700 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired directly from the artist or a local Florida gallery; indicative of the regional Key West art market.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the Florida regionalist aesthetic, specifically the Key West artist community which emphasizes light, leisure, and aquatic themes. It contributes to the tradition of 'bather' subjects in art history through a modern, candid lens.
Notable Features
The rendering of the water's surface through choppy, multicolored strokes demonstrates a strong understanding of color theory and light distortion. The composition uses a modern 'snapshot' perspective, cropping the head to focus on atmosphere and form.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and very slight stretcher bar impressions visible near the edges; no major losses or restorations noted.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct UV light; occasional light dusting with a soft brush; frame with a spacer to prevent contact with glass if glazed.
Collector Notes
Key West Artist Kathy Corey Submerged in Summer, oil on canvas