The artwork, titled “Untitled (Surfer)”, was created by Julian Schnabel in 2008. Rendered using the medium of photography, the piece is rooted in the Neo-Expressionism art movement and falls within the figurative genre. It belongs to the “Surf Paintings” series, which spanned from 2006 to 2008.
The artwork captures a solitary surfer navigating a colossal wave in the vast expanse of the ocean. The powerful surf and the dynamic energy of the sea are accentuated by the contrasting patches of white brushstrokes superimposed over the photograph. These painterly elements add a layer of abstraction, characteristic of Neo-Expressionism, and serve to emphasize the tumultuous yet exhilarating essence of the scene. The artist effectively merges the photographic realism with expressive overlays, creating a composition that is both dramatic and evocative.
