Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Bruno Surdo
"Root, " Acrylic on Canvas

2020

$13,000
£9,845.84
€11,500.49
CA$18,609.27
A$18,864.26
CHF 10,729.44
MX$229,631.31
NOK 125,845.86
SEK 126,153.43
DKK 85,966.21

About the Item

Chicago-based fine art painter Bruno A. Surdo is classically trained in drawing and oil painting in the tradition of Renaissance masters. With strong command of the human form, Surdo creates dynamic compositions of people and places that communicate a rich commentary on the world around him. Depicting trees from personal encounters, Surdo’s latest body of work entitled “Tree Spirits” takes us on a foray into the forest, where leaves, branches and burls express something deeply personal. Applying his mastery of figurative realism to the natural world, he experiments with form and texture to uncover the intangible spirits of trees. One of the earliest works in this series, this large-scale painting entitled “Root” depicts the gnarled roots of a monumental tree Surdo discovered on a hike through the forest. A puddle of water ripples within a dark crevice and sculptural burls catch the dappled sunlight, flecked with moss and morning dew. Perfectly imperfect, beautiful yet grotesque, these roots capture the allure of untouched natural forms, marred by unusual shapes and irregular details. Restricted to only a portion of the tree, the composition is barely recognizable as a bed of roots, an incomprehensible mass of twisting lines and sloping contours. An exploration in abstraction, the painting eschews realism in favor of texture, color, and light. Surdo achieves depth and dimension through careful placement of shadows, working instinctively to sculpt forms within forms and create areas of tension and others of calm. Layering unexpected materials atop aggressive, freeform brushwork, he cultivates an intricate surface texture to add further contrasts of light and dark. Dirt and pumice stone simulate the rough texture of bark, while flakes of chalk catch the light like droplets of water. Pure representation of an intimate moment in nature, this microcosm of the universe invites you to pause and appreciate the small moments of beauty within your surroundings. Acrylic on canvas.
  • Creator:
    Bruno Surdo (1963, American)
  • Creation Year:
    2020
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 90.5 in (229.87 cm)Width: 63 in (160.02 cm)Depth: 1.5 in (3.81 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: CBS0161stDibs: LU1036313125442

More From This Seller

View All
"Patterned Soul, " Acrylic on Canvas, 2022

"Patterned Soul, " Acrylic on Canvas, 2022

By Bruno Surdo

Located in Chicago, IL

Chicago-based fine art painter Bruno A. Surdo is classically trained in drawing and oil painting in the tradition of Renaissance masters. With strong command of the human form, Surdo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

"Mystic Bond, " Acrylic on Canvas

"Mystic Bond, " Acrylic on Canvas

By Bruno Surdo

Located in Chicago, IL

Chicago-based fine art painter Bruno A. Surdo is classically trained in drawing and oil painting in the tradition of Renaissance masters. With strong command of the human form, Surdo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Expressionist Still-life Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Mixed Media

"Channeler, " Oil on Board, 2022

"Channeler, " Oil on Board, 2022

By Bruno Surdo

Located in Chicago, IL

Chicago-based fine art painter Bruno A. Surdo is classically trained in drawing and oil painting in the tradition of Renaissance masters. With strong command of the human form, Surdo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Naturalistic Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil

"Birch, " Oil Paint on Olive Board

"Birch, " Oil Paint on Olive Board

By Bruno Surdo

Located in Chicago, IL

Chicago-based fine art painter Bruno A. Surdo is classically trained in drawing and oil painting in the tradition of Renaissance masters. With strong command of the human form, Surdo creates dynamic compositions of people and places that communicate a rich commentary on the world around him. Depicting trees from personal encounters, Surdo’s latest body of work entitled “Tree Spirits” takes us on a foray into the forest, where leaves, branches and burls express something deeply personal. Applying his mastery of figurative realism to the natural world, he experiments with form and texture to uncover the intangible spirits of trees. Entitled “Birch,” this small-scale oil painting depicts a young birch sapling against an olive wood board. Restricting the composition to only a portion of the trunk, Surdo focuses on qualities that make the tree memorable - its narrow trunk...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Naturalistic Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Wood

"Fusion, " Charcoal on Paper, 2022

"Fusion, " Charcoal on Paper, 2022

By Bruno Surdo

Located in Chicago, IL

Chicago-based fine art painter Bruno A. Surdo is classically trained in drawing and oil painting in the tradition of Renaissance masters. With strong command of the human form, Surdo creates dynamic compositions of people and places that communicate a rich commentary on the world around him. Depicting trees from personal encounters, Surdo’s latest body of work entitled “Tree Spirits” takes us on a foray into the forest, where leaves, branches and burls express something deeply personal. Applying his mastery of figurative realism to the natural world, he experiments with form and texture to uncover the intangible spirits of trees. This charcoal drawing entitled “Fusion” beautifully illustrates the collision of two young birch trees. Loosely drawn with short, lateral strokes, the drawing depicts the slow process of two trees fusing together as a graceful gesture of physical touch. The horizontal motion of the sketch-like linework captures the striated texture of birch bark, punctuated by the irregular forms of its eye-shaped markings. The light-colored trees are contrasted by a dark backdrop, a void of negative that isolates the trees in space and time. Restricting the composition to only a portion of the tree trunks, Surdo accentuates their abstract forms and focuses on the simple beauty of their graceful movements. Guided by his memory, Surdo recalls the trees as soft, gentle and calm, leaning in on each other in a tender embrace. His freeform, expressive style reveals the subjectivity of this memory and finishes the composition with a transient, dream-like atmosphere. Charcoal on paper...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Naturalistic Landscape Paintings

Materials

Charcoal

"Hidden Sanctuary, " Acrylic on Canvas

"Hidden Sanctuary, " Acrylic on Canvas

By Bruno Surdo

Located in Chicago, IL

Chicago-based fine art painter Bruno A. Surdo is classically trained in drawing and oil painting in the tradition of Renaissance masters. With strong command of the human form, Surdo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Naturalistic Landscape Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

You May Also Like

"Root, " Acrylic on Canvas, 2020

"Root, " Acrylic on Canvas, 2020

By Bruno Surdo

Located in Chicago, IL

Chicago-based fine art painter Bruno A. Surdo is classically trained in drawing and oil painting in the tradition of Renaissance masters. With strong command of the human form, Surdo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Expressionist Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Paint

Root, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

Root, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas

By Robert Musser

Located in Yardley, PA

A large interpretation and study of the root. Two panels. Can be hung together as one or separate. :: Painting :: Abstract Expressionism :: This piece comes with an official certifi...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Still Life - Oil Painting by Franco Marzilli - 1970s

Still Life - Oil Painting by Franco Marzilli - 1970s

By Franco Marzilli

Located in Roma, IT

Oil on canvas realized by Franco Marzilli (1934-2010) in 1970s. Hand signed lower left. Very good condition. Franco Marzilli was born in Rome in 1934. He received his first artist...

Category

1970s Contemporary Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Untamed Growth, Painting, Oil on Canvas

Untamed Growth, Painting, Oil on Canvas

By Irit Epstein

Located in Yardley, PA

From the series 'Sensory Vignettes', which is an exploration of the intricate pathways that shape my daily experiences, weaving harmonious and unsettling elements into a visual tapes...

Category

2010s Contemporary Paintings

Materials

Oil