Oil Painting 1999

This oil painting by Bo Bartlett captures something monumental, the kind of scene that feels both epic and unsettling. Bartlett's use of color here is really striking; the whole scene is bathed in this warm, ochre light. It gives the work a kind of apocalyptic feeling, like we're seeing the end of something or the beginning of something new. Look closely, and you’ll see how Bartlett uses the paint – thin in some areas, thick and almost sculptural in others. It's especially noticeable around the figures, where the brushstrokes seem to emphasize their isolation and vulnerability. There’s something about the way Bartlett handles the paint here that reminds me of Odd Nerdrum, another painter who isn't afraid to tackle big themes with a kind of raw, visceral energy. Both artists seem to be tapping into something primal and timeless. They create works that invite us to contemplate our place in the world.