Woman on Toilet with Cigar and Alcohol
Painting on stretched canvas • Rachel (Contemporary artist, signed and dated 'Rachel 2023' in the lower left corner)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Figurative / Neo-Expressionist / Pop-Realism hybrid
Medium & Technique
Acrylic on canvas, employing a gestural, illustrative technique with heavy brushwork and impasto highlights in the smoke and tiled background
Creation Period
2023 (as indicated by the artist's signature)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 18 inches; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
The painting depicts a woman in white undergarments sitting on a toilet in a tiled bathroom. She is smoking a cigar, wearing oversized white sunglasses, and holding a green glass bottle (suggestive of Heinken or similar). Her hair contains curlers or rollers, and she exhales a large, expressively painted cloud of smoke. The composition uses a limited palette of grey, white, and black with selective pops of color in the lips, cigar, bottle, and signature. The imagery subverts traditional notions of femininity by juxtaposing glamour (sunglasses, red lips) with 'uncouth' or private settings.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; the work appears to be in its original state with no visible signs of aging or environmental damage
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $800
Auction Estimate
$200 - $500
Provenance History
Likely acquired directly from the artist or a local contemporary gallery; current primary market circulation
Art Historical Significance
A contemporary exploration of the 'Abject' in art, following a lineage of artists like Nan Goldin or Tracey Emin who showcase private, gritty human moments. Its value lies in its transgressive subject matter and modern aesthetic appeal for urban or 'edgy' interior design.
Notable Features
Distinctive orange signature 'Rachel 2023' in the lower left; energetic brushwork specifically in the smoke plume; use of golden-yellow undertones to suggest grimy or artificial bathroom lighting.
Condition Issues
None visible; the canvas appears tight and the paint film is stable
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight; surface dusting with a soft brush as needed. UV-protective varnish could be applied if not already present.