The artwork titled “Untitled (Surfer)”, created by Julian Schnabel in 2008, is a photographic piece that belongs to the Neo-Expressionism movement and falls under the figurative genre. It is part of the “Surf Paintings” series that the artist produced between 2006 and 2008.
The artwork depicts a solitary surfer riding a large wave, capturing the powerful essence and movement of the sea. The monochromatic tones lend a dramatic and timeless quality to the scene. Distinctively, the photograph is augmented with broad, white brushstrokes across various parts of the composition, blending painting techniques with photography to create a dynamic interplay between mediums. The brushstrokes add an abstract dimension, juxtaposing the realism of the surfer and the wave with the expressive markings of paint. This layering technique epitomizes the Neo-Expressionist style, emphasizing emotion and individualism.
