top of page
Karl Stephan Studio
THREE Works @ MFA BOSTON
With KArl Stephan
Karl Stephan in his studio, Spring 2021
"Recess" Oil on canvas 10" x 14" 2024 (Private Collection)
Karl Stephan Teaches Color, DRAWING, PAINTING and other two-dimensional art-making at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
his RECENT paintings seek to capture the energy and joy of human and other bodies in motion.
here he shares three artworks from THE MFA's Collection, and explains why they are important to his teaching:
"Euretta RathbonE" Oil on Canvas, Max Beckmann, 1947 - This vigorously-painted portrait of the spouse of a former MFA Director lets students focus on completeness rather than "perfection." The lesson is aided by the mystery of the object in her left hand.
Power figure (nkisi nkondi), Sacred Sculpture, Artist Unidentified, Kongo, 19-20th C. - This object is central to a lesson about how artists express states of mind, and also a discussion of art from cultures which have been all but erased.
"Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist" Tempera on Panel, Sandro Botticelli, c. 1500 - This painting caps a popular lesson known to students as "Ugly Babies" in which we explore STRAnge and beautiful Renaissance-era renderings of infants. it is important for Learning artists to notice that EVEN the great Botticelli corrected himself in repainting the flowers at right .
bottom of page