2024
Like images from a dream, Rudolf Kosow’s Surrealist figurative and still-life paintings and drawings conjure into reality otherworldly and absurdist scenes.
Kosow was born in 1972 in Karaganda, Kazakhstan. From 1994 to 2000, he studied painting at the city’s State Academy of Fine Arts.
Now based in Germany, he divides his time between Stuttgart and the town of Laichingen. He creates oil paintings based on three subjects: humans, animals and landscapes. He invites the viewer to interpret each work’s enigmatic message. For instance, in Contact, an astronaut is seemingly unaware of a colossal cat’s peering eye. In Missing Pieces, Kosow depicts a couple considering the whereabouts of slices taken from a giant Black Forest cake.
Kosow also explores the nature of human relationships in his portraits, such as Couple and Discord. Capture features a large-scale image of a sleeping girl juxtaposed with a miniature soldier standing guard.
“I try to paint things as realistically and as close as possible to enhance the real impression,” Kosow says in his artist’s statement. Although the imagery in his paintings and figurative drawings can be strange and somewhat unsettling, Kosow’s unique interplay of light and shadow creates a sense of “calm, harmony and peace.”
Kosow has exhibited across Germany and France. His works are sought by collectors of 21st-century Surrealist art.
On 1stDibs, find a range of Rudolf Kosow’s paintings, drawings and more.
Sly (hunt dog ear surrealism scale animal men best friend nostalgia vintage art)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
keywords; surrealism, hunting dog, humour, uncanny, animals, prussian blue, emerald green, earth tones, oil painting, figurative painting, strangeness, contemporary surrealistic, uns...
Canvas, Oil
Best Friends I (spaniel puppy dog ear surreal scale animal boy farm earth tones
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
We love Rudolf's latest series and particularly this exquisite demonstration of TLC in "Best Friends". The artist says "Two inseparable friends, regardless of the size differences, t...
Canvas, Oil
Gloomy (pet english bulldog dog surrealism animal men neutral tones)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Please note, the whites areas in the painting are trully white as opposed to bluey as shown in the pictures. Painting is signed at the front. COA provided keywords; surrealism, humo...
Canvas, Oil
Curious (black old dog, snout, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Curious," by Rudolf Kosow, is an engaging portrayal of inquisitiveness and wonder, bridging the natural world and humanity. Dominating the scene is a giant bulldog, its face a tapestry of textures from the soft fur to the glistening nose, each detail crafted to convey a lifelike presence. Facing the monumental canine is a small-scale girl, her posture embodying the essence of childhood wonder as she stands before the immense animal. Her tilted head and attentive stance suggest a moment of mutual discovery and fascination. This poignant interaction is a snapshot of the innocent and pure connections that can occur across the divides of size and species. Kosow's "Curious" captures the beautiful moments of discovery that occur when the young and the gentle giants of the animal kingdom meet, encapsulating a shared curiosity that transcends words. The artwork serves as a reminder of the universal language of wonder that connects us all. keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, animal vs human, americana, nature, man, man vs nature, surrealism, giant animal...
Canvas, Oil
Runaway (Dalmatian dog surrealist oil painting man's best friend animal)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
A colossal Dalmatian rests its head on a stark white surface, its weary gaze conveying quiet resignation. In front of it, a lone figure stands, gripping a “STOP POLICE” sign...
Canvas, Oil
Best Friends II (dog man's best friend vintage painting figurative earth tones)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In "Best Friends", the painter suggests the idea of a giant pet dog remaining reliable and comforting for the man, regardless of his giant-size. keywords; surrealism, animals, dog, ...
Canvas, Oil
