Artists Part 6c

Louis Fratino (continued)

In this last post on Louis Fratino, we'll see how he treats gay sex as a subject for art.

10 a.m., 2019 shows a bedroom embrace, but it's tender and not explicit.

Likewise, in A Breeze, 2017, two guys are in bed, asleep.  There's nothing sexual except where one of the guy's hands is resting.

Three blue nudes (Tristan, me, Ben), 2018 takes things up a notch with what the center figure is doing.

And a notch further in this untitled work that I call "Blue handjob."

This sketch for the painting Reconfiguration is extremely explicit.

But the final painting Reconfiguration, 2018 leaves the penetration to our imagination, perhaps to focus on the twisted bodies and Picasso-like faces.

However, Early Spring, 2019 leaves nothing to the imagination.  That appears to be Fratino on the bottom.

Reunion, 2017 leaves nothing to the imagination, either.

In Relax, 2017, it's pretty clear what they're doing even though it's not explicitly shown.  Fratino is looking at us from the bottom as if to say "Relax.  It's just sex."

Artists - Part 6b

Louis Fratino (continued)

Fratino has also done a number of still life paintings, though I've been concentrating on his nudes.  This is Eggs, Dishes, Coreopsis, 2020.  I like it because (1) there's a bit of humor that the subject is not carefully arranged fruits or flowers, but a bunch of dirty pots and pans in the sink, and (2) in a clever reference to a famous painting by Jan Van Eyck with the reflection of the artist in a mirror, here you can see the reflection of the artist in some of the pots and pans.

Tom at Riis beach wearing my underwear around his neck, 2019.  How could you not love a painting with that name?

Some of Fratino's subjects are less traditional, but smack of real life.  I call this untitled piece "tented shorts."

New Studio Afternoon, 2018.  Presumably that's Fratino himself, playing with his foreskin.

In this untitled drawing, the subject appears to be applying lube.  How often have you seen that as the subject of an artwork?

Licking, 2017.  Gay sex as art?  Why not, as you'll see tomorrow when we continue with the art of Louis Fratino.

Artists - Part 6a

Louis Fratino

Louis Fratino (above), born 1993, is a gay American painter who has gained the attention of the art world.  His style shows conscious influences of Picasso and Matisse, but the subjects are modern and often gay and nude.  I love so much of his work that it will take a few days to present it.

This self-portrait is called Me, 2019.  This icon-like representation of himself is recognizable in many other paintings.

Self-portrait with dolphin, 2018.  

Man, book, mirror, 2020.

Andrea in Gambara, 2018.

Jamie, 2019.

Margaret and Tom, Wednesday Morning, 2019.  Margaret is the dog, and Louis himself is visible at the bottom of the painting.

Tom reclining, 2019.  Although Tom is wearing briefs, something is peeking out.

Tomorrow: more Louis Fratino.