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"Confrontation", Mid Century Drawing w/ Half Nude Male in Surreal Setting, 1984

About the Item

Although John Lear entitled this drawing "Confrontation," the half-nude male figure and the falcon on the other end of his bright red leash are contemplating each other with placidity. Lear's earliest works are often in oil, but later he moved to watercolor, pencil and colored pencil, as here. He retained a fascination with the male nude, though his depiction of the male figure changed over the years -- from long and lean bodies to stockier figures in later years. Lear liked to depict his figures in fantastic or exotic environments such as the circus, carnival, deserted beach, or Dali-esque setting, and this drawing is a good example, with its towering assemblages of exotic and indeterminate objects. A contemporary of Paul Cadmus, and like him, highly focused on depicting the male figure in various settings and positions, Lear never gained fame beyond his circle of admirers in the Philadelphia area. However, Lear is having a moment now, and his works are increasingly sought after by collectors. The piece is signed and dated in the lower righthand corner. Dimensions include matte and frame; visible drawing is 6.75 inches high by 6.75 inches wide.
  • Creator:
    John B. Lear (Painter)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13.25 in (33.66 cm)Width: 13.25 in (33.66 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
    1980-1989
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1984
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Philadelphia, PA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU865141777312

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