Painter and draftsman Ian Hornak created vivid hyperrealist and Photorealist works, and was celebrated for his visionary incorporation of multiple-exposure photography into his landscape paintings.
The subject matter at the heart of the world’s finest Photorealist works flickers between crystal-clear reality and dreamy illusion, and Hornak’s representational art is just as compelling, enveloping the viewer with rich imagery and vibrant colors.
The painter was born John Francis Hornak in Philadelphia to Slovakian immigrants who moved to New York when he was still an infant. He became enamored of visual art at an early age — for his ninth birthday, Hornak received a set of oil paints and a book about Renaissance paintings. He reproduced many of the book’s photos of the works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and others so well that they looked like the photographs themselves.
Hornak studied art at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. After earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in fine arts, he moved to New York City in 1968 and befriended Lowell Nesbitt. The realist artist introduced him to Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell, Robert Indiana and others. Hornak resisted the Abstract Expressionist and Pop styles of the era, instead creating work that was noted for its Surrealist and even Romantic elements.
In 1970, Hornak debuted his first paintings in his multiple-exposure style. A year later, the Tibor de Nagy Gallery hosted his first New York City solo exhibition, and his prominence in the art world grew. From 1986 until his death in 2002, Hornak produced botanical and still-life paintings inspired by Flemish and Dutch masters.
Hornak’s work can be found in the permanent collections of many institutions, such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the Library of Congress.
On 1stDibs, find authentic Ian Hornak paintings, drawings, prints and more.
Ian Hornak, Volcano #2, 1971
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Volcano #2, was executed in 1971. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Hornak’s early synthesis of Phot...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Lilies and Mushrooms with my Parrot Kouka, 1986
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Lilies and Mushrooms with my Parrot Kouka, was executed in 1986. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies H...
Panel, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Cockatoo, 1985
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Cockatoo, was executed in 1985. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Hornak’s mature synthesis of Hyper...
Acrylic, Panel
Ian Hornak, Nocturne I: White Peacock, Black Cockatoo, 1990
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Nocturne I: White Peacock, Black Cockatoo, was executed in 1990. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies H...
Panel, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Very Baroque Flowerpiece with Red Birds of Paradise, Shining Parrot
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
IAN HORNAK (1944–2002) Title: Very Baroque Flowerpiece with Red Birds of Paradise and Shining Parrot Date: 1989 Medium: Acrylic on Panel, with Artist Painted Frame Dimensions...
Acrylic
Ian Hornak, The Song of Zephyrus, Variation #2, 1979
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled The Song of Zephyrus, Variation #2, was executed in 1979. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Hornak’s...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Female Nude: Moonlight (Andy Warhol Superstar, Ultra Violet), 1971
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic and pen and ink painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Female Nude: Moonlight (Andy Warhol Superstar, Ultra Violet), was executed in 1971. The masterfully ...
Acrylic, Pen, Ink, Canvas
Ian Hornak, Sorcerer Series: Beast Head, Spider Web, 1969
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Sorcerer Series: Beast Head, Spider Web, was executed in 1969. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Hor...
Acrylic, Canvas
Ian Hornak, Still Life with Lobster, Helicona, and Silver Pitcher, 1998
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite oil painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Still Life with Lobster, Helicona, and Silver Pitcher, was executed in 1998. The masterfully conceived composition exemp...
Oil, Panel
Ian Hornak, Lion’s Head Rock, East Hampton, New York, 1971
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
IAN HORNAK (1944–2002) Title: Lion’s Head Rock, East Hampton, New York Date: January 1971 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Dimensions: 42 x 66 inches (106.68 x 167.64 cm) Inscript...
Canvas, Acrylic
Looking Toward Oyster Pond, Montauk, Ian Hornak
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Looking Toward Oyster Pond, Montauk Year: 1983-2001 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: 42 x 60 inches Condition: Excellent Inscription: Signed rect...
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled (Abstract Landscape with Flowering Tree)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Landscape with Flowering Tree) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Good P...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Garden Still Life with Flowers and Plants)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Garden Still Life with Flowers and Plants) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condi...
Watercolor
Ian Hornak, Domain of Asmodeus, 1985
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
IAN HORNAK (1944–2002) Title: Domain of Asmodeus Date: 1985 Medium: Acrylic on double layered Masonite Dimensions: 31 x 37 inches (78.74 x 93.98 cm) Condition: Excellent ...
Masonite, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Primeval Landscape, 1985
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Primeval Landscape, was executed in 1985. This masterfully conceived composition belongs to a pivotal and highly sig...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Primeval Landscape, 1985
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Primeval Landscape, was executed in 1985. The masterfully conceived composition belongs to a pivotal and highly sign...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Childhood of Hephaestus, Variation #5, 1985
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Childhood of Hephaestus, Variation #5, was executed in 1985. The masterfully conceived composition belongs to Hornak...
Acrylic, Canvas
Ian Hornak, Pastoral Landscape, 1971
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Pastoral Landscape (Pastoral Landscape), was executed circa 1971. The masterfully conceived composition belongs to H...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Georgica Pond at Sunset, East Hampton, 1973
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Georgica Pond at Sunset, East Hampton, was executed in 1973. The masterfully conceived composition belongs to Hornak...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Transparent Barricades: Variation #2, 1974
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Transparent Barricades: Variation #2, was executed in 1974. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Hornak...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Gabriel’s Pavilion: Variation #2, 1979
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Gabriel’s Pavilion: Variation #2, was executed in 1979. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Hornak’s c...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Transparent Barricades: Sunrise and Moonrise, 1985
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Transparent Barricades: Sunrise and Moonrise, was executed in 1985. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifie...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, October: The Nature Trail, East Hampton, 1973-1994
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled October: The Nature Trail, East Hampton, was executed between 1973 and 1994. The masterfully conceived composition e...
Acrylic, Panel
Ian Hornak, Marcia’s Meadow, Vermont, Variation #2, 1984
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Marcia’s Meadow, Vermont, Variation #2, was executed in 1984. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Horn...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Martin Heade’s Window, 1980
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Martin Heade’s Window, was executed in 1980. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Hornak’s celebrated s...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Ghosts at Dawn, 1985
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Ghosts at Dawn, was executed in 1985. The monumental and visionary composition represents one of the most ambitious ...
Acrylic, Panel
Ian Hornak, Scarlet and Blue Macaw, 1985-1986
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Scarlet and Blue Macaw, was executed in 1985–1986. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Hornak’s mature...
Acrylic, Panel
Ian Hornak, Echo Loses Narcissus, 1978
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Echo Loses Narcissus, was executed in 1978. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Hornak’s mature synthe...
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Go...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Good Provena...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 11.5 x 15 inches Condition: Go...
Watercolor
Ian Hornak, Primeval Landscape, 1985
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
IAN HORNAK (1944–2002) Title: Primeval Landscape Date: 1985 Medium: Acrylic on double layered Masonite Dimensions: 16 x 19 inches (40.64 x 48.26 cm) Condition: Excellent ...
Acrylic, Masonite
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 11.5 x 15 inches Condition: Go...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Go...
Watercolor
(Hudson River Landscape) Untitled, 1985, Ian Hornak — Painting
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: (Hudson River Landscape) Untitled Year: 1985 Medium: Acrylic on illustration board Size: 12.5 x 10 inches Condition: Good Provenance: Estate of ...
Acrylic, Illustration Board
Untitled (Abstract Female Nude), 1963, Ian Hornak — Painting
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Female Nude) Year: 1963 Medium: Acrylic on illustration board Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Good Provenance: Estate of Ia...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
Ian Hornak, Untitled (Scottish Pastoral Landscape, 1982
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
IAN HORNAK (1944–2002) Title: Untitled (Scottish Pastoral Landscape) Date: 1982 Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Dimensions: 16 x 20 inches (40.64 x 50.8 cm) Condition: Excellent ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Still Life with Baroque Cauliflower, Artichokes and Radishes
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Still Life with Baroque Cauliflower, Artichokes and Radishes Year: 2002 Medium: Oil on Panel with artist painted frame Size: 42 x 31.5 inches Co...
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Wordsworth in the Tropics, Hyper-realist Painting by Ian Hornak
By Ian Hornak
Located in Long Island City, NY
American Photorealist Ian Hornak’s stunning depiction of a tropical landscape is framed by back-lit palm trees and clouds illuminated with the setting sun. The painting is signed, ti...
Canvas, Oil
Ian Hornak, Light from the Past, 1st version, 1985
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
IAN HORNAK (1944–2002) Title: Light from the Past, 1st version Date: 1985 Medium: Acrylic on double layered Masonite Dimensions: 21.5 x 18 inches (54.61 x 45.72 cm) Conditi...
Masonite, Acrylic
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Good Provena...
Watercolor
Hannah's Mirror, Variation #3: The Expulsion from Eden
By Ian Hornak
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Ian Hornak Title: Hannah's Mirror, Variation #3: The Expulsion from Eden Year: 1977 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed, dated, and titled verso Size: 42 x 60 inches (106.68 x 152....
Oil
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 11.5 x 15 inches Condition: Go...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Good Provena...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Chair, Flowers and Bottles), Ian Hornak
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Chair, Flowers and Bottles) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 in...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Male Reclining Nude)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Male Reclining Nude) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Good Provenance:...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers), 1963, Ian Hornak — Painting
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers) Year: circa 1963 Medium: Acrylic on double layered Masonite Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Good P...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit), Ian Hornak
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Go...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers, Fruit and Teapot)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers, Fruit and Teapot) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condi...
Watercolor
Friedrich‘s Window: Variation IV (Water and Mist) 1981, Ian Hornak — Painting
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Friedrich‘s Window: Variation # 4 Year: 1981 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: 36 x 48 inches Condition: Good Provenance: Fischbach Gallery, New Y...
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit), Ian Hornak
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Go...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Go...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Figures with Flowers)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Figures with Flowers) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Good Provenance...
Watercolor
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers), 1963, Ian Hornak — Painting
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers) Year: circa 1963 Medium: Acrylic on double layered Masonite Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Good P...
Watercolor, Archival Paper
Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit)
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Still Life with Flowers and Fruit) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 11.5 x 15 inches Condition: Go...
Watercolor
Hannah’s Mirror: Rembrandt’s Three Trees Transformed into the Expulsion fr/Eden
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This monumental painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Hannah’s Mirror, Rembrandt’s Three Trees Transformed into the Expulsion from Eden, executed in 1981, and measuring an extra...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Ancient flowers beneath a Black Sun (Solar Eclipse), 1987
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Ancient flowers beneath a Black Sun (Solar Eclipse), was executed in 1987. The masterfully conceived composition exe...
Acrylic, Panel
Ian Hornak, The Banyan Tree, Variation #4, 1981
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite acrylic painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled The Banyan Tree, Variation #4, was executed in 1981. The masterfully conceived composition exemplifies Hornak’s cele...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Flowers in the Manner of Redon #8: Delphiniums and Poppies, 1998
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite oil painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Les fleurs à la Manière de Redon #8: delphiniums and poppies (Flowers in the Manner of Redon #8: Delphiniums and Poppies...
Oil, Panel
Ian Hornak, Flowers in the Manner of Redon #7: Anemones, 1998
By Ian Hornak
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite oil painting by Ian Hornak (1944–2002), titled Les fleurs a la Maniere de Redon #7: Anemones (Flowers in the Manner of Redon #7: Anemones), was executed in 1998. The r...
Oil, Panel