'The Eye' by F. DuParc (French School circa 1940s - 60s)

'The Eye', oil on paper, by F. DuParc (French School circa 1940s - 1960s). Once in a while this gallery comes upon a work of art that stands out even from a collection of stunning paintings. The artist pits darkly-dressed workers attacking the establishment's clientele wearing all white. The labourers wield brooms and canes against their more privileged adversaries in white who counterattack with bar tables and glass pitchers. The wine symbolises wealth and privilege. Flowing from a tipped glass onto a man knocked to the floor however, it alludes to the spilling of blood. Surveilling the scene are the Eyes of Providence capping the four triangles in the painting. Although originally a Christian symbol, The Eye appeared as part of the standard iconography of the Freemasons in the late 18th Century. It represented the all-seeing eye of God and was a reminder that humanity's thoughts and deeds are always observed by God, who was probably not pleased at the scene below. The lines and angles created by the pyramids lend an element of cubism to the artwork. Together with the angular figures there is a wonderful symmetry on display with a creation that is harmonious and in balance in defiance of the chaos being depicted. 

'The Eye' combines style, symbolism and symmetry all at once. Except for the violence, this painting is reminiscent of the style commissioned during the economic depression of the 1930s. The American Public Works Art Project was created to give work to unemployed artists. The works they created in public buildings often featured idealised workers or farmers. That style was not a great leap from the figures portrayed in Soviet socialist realism. Rather than simply portraying their heroic toils, this artist has chosen instead to represent a graphic, violent depiction of the class struggle using the bar fight as metaphor. In very good vintage condition. It is newly framed and glazed. Upon request a video of the work will be provided. Regrettably nothing is known of the artist who signed the work: 'F. DuParc'. 

Dimensions with frame:

H 28 cm / 11.0"

W 37 cm / 14.6"

Dimensions without frame

H 18 cm / 7.1"

W 27.5 cm / 10.8"