Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Stephen Basso
Glory and Grandeur art history strong black female figure topical subject

2015

About the Item

oil on linen on mounted board *ABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with boundless imagination, wry wit and fearless color. His shrewd social observations often translate into eerily humorous figurative scenes and narratives. Mr. Basso’s works evoke a high level of inquiry. The fanciful, yet keenly observed characters are unpredictable and evocative. The viewer vacillates between surprise, delight, and consternation. A Brooklyn native, much of Basso's wildly imaginative artwork was inspired by travel to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and especially Mexico. Basso is particularly drawn to Latin American art, channeling its mix of Western and African influences and imagery into his vibrant, often surrealistic work. Combining a New York and a Mexican sensibility, he says of his work, "There is a natural surreal quality to Mexico that can collide with its harsh realities. One might call it bittersweet. It is often bawdy, but rarely vulgar, and images are everywhere. Love, hate, fear desire and of course, humor, never go out of style.” And he adds, " I like mixing high ideals with American irreverence." The elements of mystery, escapism, and humor blended with reality define his art. It is of a personal nature consisting of a cast of characters that inhabit the stage between the extreme highs and lows of life, a state of limbo where dreamlike scenarios are often pulled back to the reality of daily existence. Of his process, Mr. Basso says, "The paintings and drawings begin with objects around my home and studio, photos from various sources, and people I know, have known, or have yet to meet." By in large, Basso is self taught. (After initially attending the School of Visual Arts for Illustration, he realized painting was more engaging for him.) Seeking emotional honesty, he looked to the work of several "mentors": Max Beckmann, Francisco Goya, Willem de Kooning , Philip Guston , Marsden Hartley and Albert Pinkham Ryder - artists that spoke to the human condition.
  • Creator:
    Stephen Basso (1953, American)
  • Creation Year:
    2015
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 0.25 in (6.35 mm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Brooklyn, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU133916522712

More From This Seller

View All
Tower of Slumber fantasy male and female figures engaged in Hercularian feats.
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This painting is one of various works by the artist depicting narratives in a narrow vertical format primarily influenced by the works of the German artist Max Beckmann . It is a lar...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil

Antique Lemondrops persimmon red and rich gold ochre colors interior subjects
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
First of a series of totem like images by the artist dealing with everyday ABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought pr...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Nude on the Edge#2, colorful, whimsical imaginative nude
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
*ABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with boundless imagina...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Soutine's Purveyor, humorous butcher with meat, food
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with boundless imagination, wry wit and fear...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Surrogate Family cat woman and with her extended family on sofa humorous theme
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is a recent oil on linen canvas mounted on cradled wood panel signed and dated on reverse . Created earlier this year, the artist has titled it in response to the current politi...
Category

2010s American Modern Interior Paintings

Materials

Linen, Oil, Wood Panel

The Hypnotist large oil painting multiple figures violet and green colors
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Statement from Stephen Basso about “The Hypnotist” : “Some years ago I took a cruise for the first and probably the last time.I did not enjoy the experience but one night a show feat...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Interior Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

You May Also Like

"Home from Work, " Oil Painting of Woman Indoors signed by Robert Richter
By Robert Richter
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Home from Work" by Wisconsin artist Robert Richter is an oil painting on wood, signed on the verso. The frame was created and hand-carved by the artist, making it an integral part o...
Category

Early 2000s Outsider Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Wood, Oil

"The Marriage Proposal (Family Gathering), " Leo Schutzman, Jewish Folk Art
By Leo Schutzman
Located in New York, NY
Leo Schutzman (1878 - 1962) The Marriage Proposal, circa 1958 Oil on canvas 24 x 20 inches Signed lower left Leo (Kyle) Schutzman (1878-1962) developed ...
Category

1950s Folk Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

American Outsider Folk Art Painting "The Wall-Flower" by Gussie Smith Roth 1965
Located in San Francisco, CA
American Outsider Folk Art Painting "The Wall-Flower" by Gussie Smith Roth C.1965 Original oil on masonite Masonite dimensions 28" wide x...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Masonite

Ex Voto Holy Tribute for the Healing of a Son, 1940s Ink & Paint Metall Retablo
Located in Denver, CO
This authentic Mexican ex-voto is a heartfelt tribute of gratitude, painted in oil on tin with ink circa 1940 by an anonymous Mexican artist. It is beautifully framed in a hand-carve...
Category

1940s Folk Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Metal

Ex Voto Retablo – Early 20th C. Holy Tribute for Healing & Return to Good Health
Located in Denver, CO
Ex Voto; Holy Tribute for the Return to Good Health. Oil on tin with ink, May 31, 1922, by Mexican artist V. Cervantes with a contemporary custom frame hand-carved by artisan Michael...
Category

1920s Folk Art Interior Paintings

Materials

Metal

1920s Ex Voto Retablo – Folk Art Tribute for Brother’s Salvation & Protection
Located in Denver, CO
Ex Voto; Holy Tribute for Saving a Brother. Oil on tin with ink, circa 1925, anonymous Mexican artist with a contemporary custom frame hand-carved by artisan Michael Blatnik. Ex-Vot...
Category

1920s Folk Art Interior Paintings

Materials

Metal

Recently Viewed

View All