Preening by Alfred Currier

Oil on canvas — impasto. A swan at rest — plumage in cream and pale yellow ochre, olive-green wing accents, black bill and eye the only hard edges. The water: cerulean, viridian, and prussian blue impasto with burnt sienna and cadmium red for warmth. The contrast between the bird's compressed form and the open water is where the painting works. The same impasto authority as Currier's large field paintings at intimate scale. Oil on canvas. $1,600. International shipping available.