Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
American, b. 1956
Julie Heffernan (b. 1956) is an American painter whose artwork has been described by the writer Rebecca Solnit as "a new kind of history painting" and by The New Yorker as "ironic rococo surrealism with a social-satirical twist." Portraiture is a dominant subject in Heffernan’s painting, even while she also reflects on environmental, (art) historical, feminist, literary, social, and political subjects.
Heffernan was raised in Northern California, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking and painting from University of California at Santa Cruz, and earned a Master of Fine Arts at Yale School of Art. She is a Professor of Fine Arts at Montclair State University and Co-founder of the journal Painters on Paintings. She lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
In 2011, Heffernan was elected a National Academician to the National Academy of Design in New York and in 2014, to the Board of Governors. She is a 2017 Fellow of the BAU Institute at the Camargo Foundation in Cassis, France; was awarded the Meridian Scholar Artist-In-Residence Fellowship from the University of Tampa in Florida and was the featured artist for the 2017 MacDowell Colony. In 2013, Heffernan was awarded a Milton And Sally Avery Fellowship at MacDowell and in 2012, she was invited to be the Lee Ellen Fleming Artist-In-Residence at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. In 2010, she was the Commencement Speaker for the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and in 2009, she was the featured artist at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. A recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant, a New York Foundation for the Arts grant, a Fulbright-Hayes grant to Berlin, Heffernan was also a nominee for the "Anonymous Was A Woman" award. Since 1999, Heffernan has had more than 50 solo exhibitions at museums and other venues across the United States and abroad. Her work is represented in 25 museum and institutional collections.to
4
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
4
1
1
2
2
4
4
4
2
2
4
4
4
4
14
411
324
243
214
2
4
Artist: Julie Heffernan
Self Portrait as Luminous Body, Oil on Canvas Painting by Julie Heffernan, 2004
By Julie Heffernan
Located in Orange, CA
Self Portrait as Luminous Body, Oil on Canvas Painting by Julie Heffernan, 2004
Additional information:
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimension: 51 × 67 in 129.5 × 170.2 cm
Frame included
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Self Portrait as Decoy, Oil on Canvas Painting by Julie Heffernan, 2005-2006
By Julie Heffernan
Located in Orange, CA
Self Portrait as Decoy, Oil on Canvas Painting by Julie Heffernan, 2005-2006
Additional information:
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimension: 62 × 54 in 157.5 × 137.2 cm
Frame included
Con...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Self Portrait as Decoy, Oil on Canvas Painting by Julie Heffernan, 2005-2006
By Julie Heffernan
Located in Orange, CA
Self Portrait as Decoy, Oil on Canvas Painting by Julie Heffernan, 2005-2006
Additional information:
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimension: 62 × 54 in 157.5 × 137.2 cm
Frame included
Con...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Self Portrait as Luminous Body, Oil on Canvas Painting by Julie Heffernan, 2004
By Julie Heffernan
Located in Orange, CA
Self Portrait as Luminous Body, Oil on Canvas Painting by Julie Heffernan, 2004
Additional information:
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimension: 51 × 67 in 129.5 × 170.2 cm
Frame included
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Related Items
Hopeful (black labrador, dog pet, woman, vintage, animal, surrealist painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In this moving piece by Rudolf Kosow, the canvas captures a tender and intimate moment between species. The focus is a deeply expressive black dog, portrayed with a level of detail t...
Category
2010s Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Tramp (pet dog, beagle, troubadour guitare, animal portrait, surrealist painting
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Tramp," by Rudolf Kosow, is a whimsical painting that delights in its surreal juxtaposition of scale and serenity. At the center is a beagle's face, depicted with lifelike detail and expressiveness, eyes glistening with a calm intelligence that beckons the viewer into a state of contemplation.
Positioned against the backdrop of the dog's vast visage, a small, solitary figure strums a guitar. The musician, dressed in casual attire, appears as a wandering troubadour, his music resonating with the quietude of the scene. This miniature man, though diminutive in size, plays a significant role in the narrative, providing a sense of companionship and shared experience.
The painting's title, "Tramp," suggests a free spirit, both in the itinerant musician and the beagle, known for its adventurous and exploratory nature. Kosow's piece is an ode to the wandering souls and the moments of unexpected harmony they encounter.
Through "Tramp," we are reminded of the melodies that score our journeys and the silent kinship we find along the way. It is an invitation to embrace the music of life, to find connection in the tranquility of existence, and to acknowledge the symphonies that unfold in the presence of kindred spirits, regardless of their size or form.
keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, animal vs human, americana, nature, man, man vs nature, surrealism, giant animal...
Category
2010s Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Shy (Lab pet dog, girl, Child, vintage dress, animal, surrealist oil painting
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Shy," a tender and evocative work by Rudolf Kosow, portrays an encounter that is wrapped in quietude and gentle introspection. A sizable, soulful-eyed dog fills the canvas, its gaze...
Category
2010s Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Girl With Glass Abstract Expressionism
By Kristin Cohen
Located in Soquel, CA
A bright, colorful figurative abstract expressionist painting titled "Late Bloomer" by Kristin Cohen (American, b.1963). Condition: Excellent; pemimenti s...
Category
1990s Abstract Expressionist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
H 42.75 in W 26.75 in D 1.25 in
Owner (black Lab dog, sleeping lady, vintage dress, animal, surrealist painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Owner," Rudolf Kosow captures a tender moment of connection that is as powerful as it is subtle. The main subject of the painting is a large black Lab, soulful dog, its fur textu...
Category
2010s Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Sweet Sounds (cat, feline, lady, flute, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Sweet Sounds," a mesmerizing painting by Rudolf Kosow, depicts a tranquil scene of harmony between a young girl and a slumbering cat. The girl, seated and playing an instrument, see...
Category
2010s Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Soulmates (brown pet dog, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Soulmates," a poignant work by Rudolf Kosow, tenderly illustrates the profound bond shared between a dog and a human. In this intimate portrayal, the dog's gaze is imbued with an emotional depth that transcends the boundaries between species. Its eyes, rendered with striking clarity, convey a world of understanding and companionship.
The lady, is nestled against the dog's face in a pose that suggests a mutual trust and shared existence. This closeness speaks to a relationship that goes beyond the conventional pet-owner dynamic, hinting at a deeper, spiritual connection—a true meeting of souls.
In Kosow's vision, the concept of soulmates expands, encompassing the idea that our most understanding and compassionate partners may not be human at all. The painting's title, "Soulmates," encapsulates the notion that kindred spirits are connected not by words, but by the heart and soul, through gestures of love and moments of silent understanding.
With "Soulmates," Kosow invites us to contemplate the essence of connection and the forms it can take. It's a celebration of the unspoken bond that animals and humans can share, an acknowledgment that the purest forms of love and understanding sometimes require no language. This piece serves as a beautiful reminder of the loyalty, comfort, and unconditional acceptance that define the most precious of life's relationships.
keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, animal vs human, americana, nature, man, man vs nature, surrealism, giant animal...
Category
2010s Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Defender (dog, hunter, pet black Lab, man, animal, surrealist painting, american
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
This poignant painting by Rudolf Kosow presents us with a remarkable visual allegory rich with surrealistic influences. The canvas is occupied by a colossal, detailed black labrador ...
Category
2010s Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Game (bob cat, female tennis player, ball, vintage, animal, surrealist painting
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In this captivating painting by Rudolf Kosow, the canvas comes alive with a surreal and dynamic encounter. At first glance, we see a massive bob cat head, rendered in repose with a t...
Category
2010s Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
surreal scene oil on canvas painting surrealism
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Francesc Gironés (1904-1997) - Surrealist scene - Oil canvas
Oil measures 38x46 cm.
Frame measures 47x55 cm.
Francesc Gironés was a painter from Poblenou about whom little is known,...
Category
1980s Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Cuddly Snout (dog, snout, nose, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Cuddly Snout" by Rudolf Kosow is a stirring piece that captures the tender relationship between a human and an animal, portrayed through the striking close-up of a pet dog's snout, with a person resting peacefully against it. The animal's facial features are rendered with exquisite attention to texture and detail, each whisker and patch of fur beautifully accentuated.
The small figure of the person, leaning with an air of contented ease against the snout, is a testament to the comfort and solace that animals provide. This closeness conveys a shared moment of rest, an unspoken bond of trust and affection that needs no words. The artwork’s title, "Cuddly Snout," encapsulates the warmth and gentle nature of this interaction, highlighting the simple, pure connections that form between the hearts of humans and animals.
Kosow’s work invites us to reflect on the soft, quiet moments that we cherish with our pets, those times of closeness that bring us joy and comfort. It’s a visual homage to the silent, heartfelt communication that deepens our bonds with the animal companions who grace our lives. This painting is a tender reminder of the unconditional love and comfort that our furry friends bestow upon us, often becoming a serene haven in our lives.
keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, animal vs human, americana, nature, man, man vs nature, surrealism, giant animal...
Category
2010s Surrealist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in
Cape Maneuver bullfighter oil painting
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Title: Cape Maneuver
Artist: José María Tuser Vázquez (Barcelona, 1919 – 1986)
Technique: Oil on canvas mounted on board
Dimensions: 19.7 x 23.6 in (50 x 60 cm)
Date: Circa 1980s
Signature: Signed "Tuser" in the lower left corner
Condition: Excellent; thick, vibrant brushwork and vivid colors well preserved.
📝 Description
This painting captures a dramatic moment in the bullfight — the classic verónica — as the matador gracefully halts the bull’s charge with a sweeping motion of the cape. The vivid contrast of magentas, blues, and golds intensifies the theatrical tension between man and beast. The composition is dynamic yet controlled, emphasizing the poise of the torero against the raw force of the bull.
The expressive brushstrokes and thick impasto enhance the sense of movement, while the abstracted background ensures focus remains on the central figures. The piece is a striking blend of figuration and emotional energy, characteristic of Tuser’s taurine works.
👤 About the Artist: José María Tuser Vázquez
José María Tuser Vázquez was a Spanish painter born in Barcelona in 1919. He studied at the Barcelona School of Arts and Crafts and began exhibiting in the 1940s. By 1947, he had fully devoted his career to bullfighting scenes, developing a distinctive figurative expressionist style with impressionist influences.
He collaborated with the magazine El Ruedo, creating numerous illustrations and covers, and designed collectible postcards for Editorial Artigas. His work became well-known in Spanish artistic circles and is now part of both private and institutional collections, including the Club Taurino of London.
His paintings have been auctioned internationally, reaching up to $3,000 depending on size and subject. His legacy is that of a painter who masterfully captured the emotion, tradition, and drama of the Spanish corrida.
🎨 Similar Artists
José María Tuser Vázquez’s work shares thematic and stylistic elements with:
Roberto Domingo – A pioneer of bullfighting art...
Category
1970s Expressionist Julie Heffernan Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil, Board
$1,293 Sale Price
26% Off
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in
Julie Heffernan figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Julie Heffernan figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Julie Heffernan in canvas, fabric, oil paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the Surrealist style. Not every interior allows for large Julie Heffernan figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 54 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Vaclav Vytlacil, Andreas Claussen, and Yari Ostovany. Julie Heffernan figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $55,000 and tops out at $55,000, while the average work can sell for $55,000.