By Richard Turner
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Title
Richard Turner Garden of Eden Figurative Surrealist Oil Painting
Key Details
Artist: Richard Turner (British, 1940–2013)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 48 x 36 inches
Provenance: Not specified
Condition: Very good condition
Signature / Inscription: Signed, titled, and dated verso (2003)
Description
A large-scale figurative composition set within a stylised, almost dreamlike landscape. Three female figures are arranged across the foreground, two reclining and one seated with a child, their forms simplified and outlined against a richly coloured setting of foliage, water, and distant forms. Turner uses a heightened palette of greens, reds, and soft blues, creating a scene that feels both familiar and slightly removed from reality. The composition carries a narrative quality, with references to classical themes reinterpreted through a more contemporary lens.
The scale gives the painting a strong presence, making it well suited to a principal room such as a sitting room or larger bedroom. It works particularly well in interiors where art is used as a focal point, with enough space to allow the composition to be viewed fully. The colour and subject lend warmth and depth, especially in settings that favour layered, characterful pieces rather than minimal decoration.
Turner’s work often draws on Renaissance and Arcadian traditions, but shifts them into a more stylised and personal language. This painting reflects that balance, combining structured figuration with a more fluid, imaginative setting. It sits comfortably within a collection that values narrative, symbolism, and a slightly unconventional approach to classical themes.
Artist Note
Richard Turner studied at the Royal College of Art under Carol Weight...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Post-Modern Art