Paul Thek

Private Collection

Mary in the Arms of Jesus is a quintessential example of Thek’s vibrant paintings from the 1980s and of his work in general. The present piece responds to religious themes which continuously inspired Thek in his artistic creation. The abstract imagery superimposed with the red writing creates an almost-surrealist piece infused with Pop Art inspiration. The scale of the painting, the use of bright vibrant colors, the golden frame and the picture light, make this work playful, intimate and approachable for viewers. 

As an American sculptor, painter, and one of the first installation artists of the twentieth century, Thek produced a variety of works throughout his career, ranging from beeswax renderings of meat to small landscape paintings. Nevertheless, all his work addressed similar existential questions about contemporary existence. Collaborating with artists such as Eva Hesse and Paul Hujar, he greatly participated in the artistic development of his era.