Dream of the Golden Fish
Painting on stretched canvas • Unidentified artist; likely a professional contemporary artist active in the 1980s New Figurative or Neo-Expressionist circles.
Style & Movement
Neo-Expressionism / Post-Modern Figurative Art with Surrealist influences.
Medium & Technique
Oil and possibly acrylic or mixed media on canvas; employing glazing and graphic line work with scumbling for texture in the smoke/cloud area.
Creation Period
1983 (documented by owner)
Dimensions & Format
Large square or near-square format, approximately 100 x 120 cm (estimated landscape orientation).
Subject Description
A reclining female figure in red patterned leggings and a dark bodice gazes at the viewer while holding a glass or vessel from which a cloud of spirit-matter emerges containing a golden koi fish and floral elements. An inverted male face is positioned on the right, suggesting a dreamscape, psychological duality, or a complex narrative of shared subconscious space.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the work shows typical signs of aging for its age but remains structurally sound.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 (dependent on identification of the artist)
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,500
Provenance History
Private collection; likely acquired directly from the artist or a contemporary gallery in the early 1980s. No visible gallery labels are present in the provided image.
Art Historical Significance
The work is a representative example of 1980s figurative revival, rejecting minimalism in favor of narrative, symbols, and bold color. It reflects the decade's interest in 'Bad Painting' (intentional naivety) and Surrealist juxtaposition.
Notable Features
The use of an inverted figure creates a sense of spatial disorientation characteristic of 1980s postmodernism; the contrast between the flat dark background and the high-detail 'dream cloud' creates a strong focal point.
Condition Issues
Minor craquelure appearing in heavier paint layers; light surface grime; slight abrasions at the unframed corners of the canvas.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a professional conservator; application of a protective varnish if currently unvarnished; framing within a floater frame to protect edges.
Collector Notes
painted 1983