Skip to main content
Items Similar to Purvis Young “Burning Man” Monumental Outsider Painting on Found Steel Tray
Massive Purvis Young Acrylic Painting on Plywood, Post-Modern, 1980s
Massive Purvis Young Acrylic Painting on Plywood, Post-Modern, 1980s
Mixed-Media Painting by Purvis Young, Untitled, Circa 1990
Mixed-Media Painting by Purvis Young, Untitled, Circa 1990
An Early Work by Purvis Young Framed in Oversized Shadow Box
An Early Work by Purvis Young Framed in Oversized Shadow Box
Mid-Century Modern Abstract "Arau Potter" Painting by Xavier Gonzalez, 1969
Mid-Century Modern Abstract "Arau Potter" Painting by Xavier Gonzalez, 1969
"Il Contadino" Enamel on Copper by Bruno Santini, 1954
"Il Contadino" Enamel on Copper by Bruno Santini, 1954
Untitled, Purvis Young Mixed-Media Painting, 1980s
Untitled, Purvis Young Mixed-Media Painting, 1980s
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 13

Purvis Young “Burning Man” Monumental Outsider Painting on Found Steel Tray

$12,000
£9,037.28
€10,559.37
CA$17,002
A$17,077.48
CHF 9,902
MX$208,363.06
NOK 114,594.52
SEK 117,579.94
DKK 78,935.70

About the Item

Purvis Young “Burning Man” Monumental Outsider Painting on Found Steel Tray, Signed A dramatic and spiritually resonant mixed media painting by influential African-American outsider artist Purvis Young (1943–2010), titled Burning Man. This work is executed on a reclaimed industrial steel tray, transforming a utilitarian object into a powerful visual altar that merges material grit with visionary intensity. Rendered in layered oil and pigment on rusted metal, the composition centers on an emaciated, skeletal figure depicted in scorched reds, bone white, and charred browns. A black ladder motif—one of Young’s recurring symbols—ascends from the ground through the figure’s ribcage, serving as a metaphor for spiritual elevation, the soul’s escape, or a plea for transcendence amid suffering. Surrounding the central figure is a remarkable painterly border: a luminous, incendiary perimeter of red-orange pigment that appears to sear the edges of the tray. This "burning surround" is not merely decorative; it functions symbolically and spatially—suggesting a liminal threshold between worldly struggle and otherworldly release. The effect is both apocalyptic and sacred, invoking ritual, martyrdom, and redemption through fire. Signed “Young” at center left, the work measures 35" wide x 30.5" high to the top of the handles (28" panel height) x 2" deep. The rusted metal, pitted surface, and hand-welded handles further ground the piece in Young’s practice of elevating discarded materials from Miami’s Overtown neighborhood into vessels of spiritual and social testimony. A rare large-format example with exceptional iconography and material presence, Burning Man exemplifies Young’s ability to channel the cosmic through the found and the eternal through the ephemeral.
  • Creator:
    Purvis Young (Artist)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Width: 35 in (88.9 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Style:
    Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Metal
  • Place of Origin:
    United States
  • Period:
    Late 20th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1980s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    West Palm Beach, FL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: T35721stDibs: LU2592347141952

More From This Seller

View All
Purvis Young (American, 1943–2010) “Warriors Beneath a Burning Sky”

Purvis Young (American, 1943–2010) “Warriors Beneath a Burning Sky”

Purvis Young (American, 1943–2010) “Warriors Beneath a Burning Sky”

By Purvis Young

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Purvis Young (American, 1943–2010) “Warriors Beneath a Burning Sky” Acrylic and mixed media on found poster board Signed Young lower center Dimensions: 48" W × 30" H Circa 1980s–199...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings

Materials

Papercord, Paint

Purvis Young "Walking on the World" Mixed-Media Assemblage on Found Wood

Purvis Young "Walking on the World" Mixed-Media Assemblage on Found Wood

Purvis Young "Walking on the World" Mixed-Media Assemblage on Found Wood

By Purvis Young

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Purvis Young "Walking on the World" Mixed-Media Assemblage on Found Wood A compelling and deeply symbolic mixed-media assemblage by celebrated Miami artist Purvis Young (1943–2010),...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Purvis Young — Procession and Witness (Angels and Mourning), Mixed-Media Diptych

Purvis Young — Procession and Witness (Angels and Mourning), Mixed-Media Diptych

Purvis Young — Procession and Witness (Angels and Mourning), Mixed-Media Diptych

By Purvis Young

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Purvis Young—Procession and Witness (Angels and Mourning), Mixed-Media Diptych, c. late 1980s–early 1990s This evocative mixed-media diptych by Purvis Young is a compelling example ...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings

Materials

Metal

Purvis Young “Black Angel with Procession” Mixed-Media Assemblage, Circa 1985

Purvis Young “Black Angel with Procession” Mixed-Media Assemblage, Circa 1985

Purvis Young “Black Angel with Procession” Mixed-Media Assemblage, Circa 1985

By Purvis Young

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Purvis Young, “Black Angel with Procession,” Mixed-Media Assemblage, Circa 1985 A powerful mixed-media assemblage by Purvis Young, depicting one of the artist’s most iconic and soug...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Scrap Wood

Purvis Young Mixed Media on Poster Board with Seahorse Fabric & Painted Warriors

Purvis Young Mixed Media on Poster Board with Seahorse Fabric & Painted Warriors

Purvis Young Mixed Media on Poster Board with Seahorse Fabric & Painted Warriors

By Purvis Young

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Purvis Young Mixed Media on Poster Board with Seahorse Fabric and Painted Warriors, circa 1980s–1990s Dimensions: 48" H x 32" W Provenance: From a South Florida estate with direct ti...

Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings

Materials

Fabric, Paper

JFK MLK RFK- NO MORE DREAMS, Purvis Young

JFK MLK RFK- NO MORE DREAMS, Purvis Young

JFK MLK RFK- NO MORE DREAMS, Purvis Young

By Purvis Young

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

JFK MLK RFK- NO MORE DREAMS Purvis Young (1989-1999) A moving mourning work, depicting a funeral procession of John F. Kennedy, Martin L. King and Robert F. Kennedy. Painted ...

Category

20th Century North American Modern Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Metal

You May Also Like

Untitled, Purvis Young Mixed-Media Painting, 1980s

Untitled, Purvis Young Mixed-Media Painting, 1980s

Untitled, Purvis Young Mixed-Media Painting, 1980s

By Purvis Young

Located in Miami, FL

Abstract mixed-media work by artist Purvis Young. Folk Art portraying bleeding and pregnant figures in a crowd, policemen on horseback and large blue eyes. Young used eyes as symbols...

Category

Vintage 1980s American Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Paint, Reclaimed Wood, Canvas, Paper

Mixed-Media Painting by Purvis Young, Untitled, Circa 1990

Mixed-Media Painting by Purvis Young, Untitled, Circa 1990

Mixed-Media Painting by Purvis Young, Untitled, Circa 1990

By Purvis Young

Located in Miami, FL

Mixed-media work by artist Purvis Young. Acrylic on paper, plastic and white metal sign insert cover. Folk Art painted in black, white, pink, yellow, red and green. Work on found obj...

Category

1990s American Folk Art Paintings

Materials

Metal

Vintage Copper Painting by Germain Rotsaert, 1960s

Vintage Copper Painting by Germain Rotsaert, 1960s

Vintage Copper Painting by Germain Rotsaert, 1960s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Mid century artwork by Belgian artist Germain Rotsaert who uses melted copper and painted it to create colourfoul graphical works. Signed bottom left ? Measures: Height: 61cm/24...

Category

Vintage 1960s Belgian Brutalist Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Copper

Celebration, Large Mixed Media Painting on Wood, Outsider Art, Late 20th Century

Purvis YoungCelebration, Large Mixed Media Painting on Wood, Outsider Art, Late 20th Century

Celebration, Large Mixed Media Painting on Wood, Outsider Art, Late 20th Century

By Purvis Young

Located in Aventura, FL

Original mixed media painting on wood. Hand signed on front by Purvis Young. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity included. All reasonable offers will ...

Category

Late 20th Century Outsider Art Mixed Media

Materials

Mixed Media, Wood

Vintage Purvis Young Abstract Paint on Wood

Vintage Purvis Young Abstract Paint on Wood

Vintage Purvis Young Abstract Paint on Wood

By Purvis Young

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This Vintage Purvis Young painting is a unique abstract painted on wood. The yellow camel like beings surrounded by soft colored cityscape and seemingly randomized abstract shapes ma...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Paintings

Materials

Wood, Paint

An Early Work by Purvis Young Framed in Oversized Shadow Box

An Early Work by Purvis Young Framed in Oversized Shadow Box

An Early Work by Purvis Young Framed in Oversized Shadow Box

By Purvis Young

Located in North Miami, FL

This early piece by Purvis Young, in large scale of broken wood and particle board fragments depict a "slave march" in search of freedom. Very powerful and meaningful. Urban art by w...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Paintings

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Plywood