Original artwork description:

In titling the piece "Dante" I am playing off "Dante's Inferno". The story behind this work is the juxtaposition of a blazing fire in the foreground with an uncommonly relaxed man in the background. The painting is carefully rendered in a realistic style but with the freedom of creating an image that does not exist. With this creative freedom, I can add elements that help the artwork tell a story. My hope is for each person to imagine more than the painting is showing. For me, the length of ash at the end of the cigarette and the man's expression of quiet satisfaction feels like he is far from panic and not in any hurry to escape. Did he set the fire? Does he care? Is he pleased? His eyes seem cold as he calmly stares back at the viewer, almost begging to be confronted.
It was important to me to give the man a 1920s look to add another layer to the curious image.
Oil on gallery wrapped stretched canvas - standard size. The edges are painted and may be hung straight out of the box. If a frame is desired, this work will fit a standard open back frame. Quality inexpensive frames can be found at Dick Blick.

Materials used:

canvas,wrapped,gallery

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