edwardpovey
PRIVATE COURTYARD
Edward Povey
2009 - 2010
Oil on linen
58 x 42 inches
Signed and dated upper right
In the artist's own collection
This is a breakthrough painting in which Edward Povey, after considerable study of the artists Balthus, Felice Casorati and Dick Ket, among others, concluded that the tonal foundations of a painting are central to its power. He maintains that a painting will reveal its weakness or strength when it is turned upside down – thus removing the distraction of the subject matter. A clear combination of tonal blocks, arranged with power and lyricism (much like in a musical composition) must underlie every abstract or figurative work.
In this scene, a woman appears to dance and sing in a private courtyard, “unaware” that she is being watched by two men. The atmosphere is one reminiscent of the Spanish Civil War, of Hemmingway, and of love and life’s complexity.
The considerable size of this work allows it a monumental quality.