David Salle

Gagosian Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present Estate from the above

New York, Gagosian Gallery, Pastoral, January - March 2001

Pastoral with Candlestick and Nude is from David Salle's celebrated Pastoral series, begun in 1999 and exhibited in 2001.  The series examines a seemingly bucolic, classicized scene between two lovers.  Within the generic scenes, Salle has injected small vignettes, quotations that both inform and obscure the painting's narrative.  "David Salle intrigues because of his subtlety and finesse, not without arrogance, in creating an environment which accomodates art and inspiration as clichés and endows existing clichés with the allure of art" (Exh. Cat., Rotterdam, Museum Boymans-van Beuningen, 1983, p. 18).  Untitled commands a strong presence, inviting inspection and questions with its layered visions, its brilliant colors and oversized scale dominating the space within which it is placed.