Red Pear (Large Form)
Painting on canvas • Aaron Fink (American, b. 1955)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Neo-Expressionism / Post-Pop Art
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing heavy impasto, wet-on-wet application, and scraping techniques to create a textured, layered surface.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st Century (c. 1990-2010)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 72 x 48 inches (6 x 4 feet); Large-scale portrait format.
Subject Description
A monumental, singular pear rendered in deep reds and violets against a dark, contrasting background. The composition focuses on the physical presence and iconic nature of the object, reducing the fruit to its essential bulbous form through expressive brushwork and luminous color layering.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the painting appears structurally sound with vibrant pigment retention and no immediate signs of flaking or mechanical damage.
Estimated Market Value
$10,000 - $18,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$7,000 - $12,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a contemporary art gallery or at auction. Fink's work is widely held in private and corporate collections across the United States.
Art Historical Significance
Fink is noted for his focus on everyday objects—fruits, vegetables, hats—transforming them into monumental and psychologically charged icons. This work sits within the American tradition of elevating the mundane, echoing Pop Art but executed with the tactile intensity of the Neo-Expressionists.
Notable Features
The play between the deep blue horizon line at the base and the saturated red of the fruit creates a strong spatial tension. The signature heavy texture and 'halo' effect around the pear are characteristic of Fink's most desirable period of production.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust accumulation is visible; some natural 'craquelure' may occur in areas of extremely thick impasto, though none is specifically noted in the image.
Conservation Recommendations
Periodic professional dusting, display in a climate-controlled environment away from direct UV light to prevent fading of the red pigments, and no framing required as it is intended to be seen on a deep-edge stretcher.
Collector Notes
Aaron fink