Symbols 2010

"Symbols" (2010) is a realistic oil painting by American artist Nelson Shanks (1937–2015). The painting depicts a woman with blond hair wearing a green, beaded dress. She gazes downward, with a thoughtful expression. The background features a marble sculpture of nude figures, suggestive of classical artistic traditions and the enduring power of symbolism. Shanks's meticulous attention to detail and masterful use of light and shadow create a sense of depth and realism.