Cyril Fradan (1928-1997) - Framed 1955 Gouache Tub Time

Description

A eye-catching study by Cyril Fradan, depicting a nude figure climbing into a beautiful freestanding bath. The scene has been painted in all shades of purple to represented evening light, with clouds of steam rising from the tub on the right-hand side. The figures expression suggests that the water is lovely and hot. Signed and dated to the lower right. The interior scene has been beautifully presented in a complimenting silver frame and double bevelled mount. On paper.

Condition

In fine condition.

Size

34.5 x 42.5cm (13.6" x 16.7")
Framed Size: 43.5 x 51cm (17.1" x 20.1")

Artist Biography

Cyril Fradan (1928-1997) was one of South Africa’s foremost painters. Born in Johannesburg in 1928, he was educated and later lectured at the University of the Witwatersrand, and held his first one-man show in Johannesburg in 1954. Relocating to London in 1960, Fradan exhibited successfully in most British and European art centres. Fradan worked almost exclusively in acrylic paints and made extensive use of glazing techniques. Furthermore, he was a successful and skilled exponent of the Baroque style used in contemporary, non-figurative terms. What this means is that Fradan blends illusion, light and colour, and a sense of passionate movement, all calculated to overwhelm the viewer by a direct emotional appeal. His use of such effects as the dissolved contour, the rendering of movement through flickering light, allied with his use of glowing colour, brought into being a style that had a profound effect on the South African audiences who saw it.