Tony Scherman b. 1950

Scherman's mastery of the medium of encaustic has not only given him an instantly recognizable style of paint quality, but he has married this technique to subjects both historically important or crucial in the life of the artist. The confluence of subject and technique has added immeasurably to the subtlety and power of whatever Scherman chooses to portray. His paintings based on Greek mythology, his still lifes, and his remarkable portraits of Napoleon, Churchill, and Trudeau, all testify to his enduring fascination with greatness and his understanding of how to present it.

This imposing portrait of Peter Muller dressed in an outfit by the designer Ungaro, is one that carries the aura of authenticity and aesthetic complexity with ease. Each part of the painting is strongly executed, each contributes to the overall impact of the whole work, and every application of the brush or knife makes its statement with conviction: the artist knew what he was aiming to achieve at every step of the process, and his technical dexterity was such that he was able to achieve it fully.

Over the years, Scherman has had numerous exhibitions in Canada, France, England, the United States, and elsewhere. Next year he will have a major exhibition in Shanghai.