Lot 212
Malcolm Bryan (American, b. 1955). Still Life with Olmec and Maya Statues. Oil on canvas, n.d. Signed at lower left. A dusky atmosphere and arresting stillness define this intimate oil painting by Malcolm Bryan, where artifacts from Mesoamerican antiquity are brought into luminous focus. At the center, a sculpted Olmec seated figure gazes solemnly forward, its weathered surface rendered in muted grays and blues. Below it reclines a chacmool - the iconic Maya figure characterized by its bent knees and upturned head - presented here in miniature form, with angular limbs and a bowl resting atop the torso. Flanking the two figures are a lustrous red pomegranate and a black-glazed spouted vessel, each object bathed in a concentrated pool of light and surrounded by velvety shadows. The ensemble glows with quiet gravity, invoking both ritual and reverence. Size of painting: 13.5" W x 17.5" H (34.3 cm x 44.4 cm); of frame: 18.5" W x 22.5" H (47 cm x 57.2 cm)
Bryan, a contemporary American painter deeply influenced by Dutch chiaroscuro, employs a classical approach rooted in directional design, controlled lighting, and strategic color contrast. His method adheres to time-honored oil techniques - including the "fat over lean" principle - ensuring both permanence and depth. In this work, the viewer's eye is drawn to the focal point through a deliberate play of light and form: the warm orb of the fruit, the sculptural faces, and the soft glint off ceramic surfaces.
Although his style is grounded in naturalistic representation, Bryan allows for expressive departures in texture and tone. Here, he pushes value contrast to the edge of believability, coaxing a sense of drama and timelessness from the quiet scene. The result is a compact visual experience that resonates across distance - an invitation to pause, to contemplate, to marvel. According to Bryan, the goal is simple yet profound: to create paintings that connect with viewers of all backgrounds, regardless of their engagement with the fine arts. In this piece, he offers exactly that - a glimpse of enduring beauty, shaped by both ancient legacy and modern hand.
Provenance: private Grand Junction, Colorado, USA collection
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#195119
- Condition: Signed at lower left. Miniscule nick to upper left, but otherwise in excellent overall condition. Mounted in custom frame with suspension wire on verso for display.
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