David A. Leffel, Portrait of David Kramer, 1977, oil on canvas, 30 x 25, collection of Cindy Kramer McSweeney
Classical Underground is exceptionally proud to showcase the legend of American representational realism David Leffel with a preview of the groundbreaking retrospective exhibition of his work at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art.David Leffel is one of the lonely few great pillars that preserved the bridge of the representational tradition in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. David is certainly one of the most important influences for the entire powerful generational resurgence of realism in contemporary American art at the beginning of 21st century."Leffel's powerful realism arises from his commitment to understanding and capturing the flow of light. He does not paint things, but light falling and flowing over objects. By treating light as a vital force, he gives his paintings the feeling that they are infused with life" said Michael Zakian, Director of the Weisman Museum.The exhibition is the first major retrospective for the 84-year-old artist, who in the 1960s broke with mainstream abstraction by reviving the art of the Old Masters. Approximately 50 paintings from the past 50 years will be featured - showcasing portraiture, still lifes, and landscapes of this revered artist, author and teacher."I planned the David Leffel retrospective to follow immediately after an exhibition of work by Andy Warhol," said Zakian. "The parallels are fascinating. They were born only a few years apart and both worked as commercial illustrators in New York in the 1950s. The difference is that Warhol went on to reuse images from advertising to create Pop Art. Leffel wanted an art of greater depth and substance and chose to dedicate himself to revive forgotten techniques and learn to paint like the Old Masters."David A. Leffel: The Mastery of Light - A RetrospectiveMay 14 - August 7, 2016Frederick R. Weisman Museum of ArtPepperdine University24255 Pacific Coast HighwayMalibu, Calif. 90263in ART we trust!
Doors open at 7 p.m. No assigned seats - first come-first served.