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Richard Serrin’s incredible gift is that
he can bring the scriptures alive for
you in art. While most artists have
abandoned Biblical art, it has become a
burning preoccupation for Serrin. In
1974 he started painting four large 9’ x
9’paintings on the Passion of Jesus
Christ. The scope of the project, and
the amount of research entailed made a
profound impression of Serrin. Biblical
themes had previously dominated his work
but they were primarily drawn from the
Old Testament. Now as he studied and
pondered the scriptures about Christ who
followed God’s will even to death,
Serrin’s direction seemed clear. He
committed himself to a ministry of
Biblical art that would place strong
Biblical images in a world that sorely
needs inspiration.
The whole process of
ordering a Biblical painting is one in
which you can become intimately
involved. Serrin is challenged and
prefers to create a painting that is
expressly personal for you based on a
favorite scripture passage of yours. He
would want to know what the scripture
means to you personally and if you
prefer a particular translation. After
studying the passage involved, Serrin
will produce a small oil sketch
indicating the proposed composition, but
not including any minute detailing. Once
you have approved the sketch, he would
proceed with the painting which would be
delivered to you in approximately a year
or on an otherwise agreed upon schedule.
How this process works
is illustrated by a commission on the
Parable of the Two Debtors which he did
for a couple in 1964. They wanted a
painting that could be hung over their
mantle. In the course of their
discussion with Serrin, they both
indicated they had strong feelings about
shepherding. They also said they loved
sheep and wondered if he could include a
small flock in the painting. Serrin’s
solution of an indoor outdoor scene was
especially meaningful to them.
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| Serrin’s technique
uses a modified formula of a 17th
century medium rediscovered and
introduced to American painters in the
40’s by Jacques Maroger, one-time
curator of paintings in the Louvre.
Additions of calcium carbonate and china
ball clay in varying degrees to the
basic oil composed of linseed oil, white
lead and dammar varnish are brushed,
rubbed and scrubbed on canvas
intermittently over several months to
create a dramatic chiaroscuro in which
light seems to emanate from the painting
itself. Utilizing this technique Serrin
can produce eight to ten paintings
annually depending upon their size.
The benefits of owning
a Serrin original are threefold:
- Your original
would be a very personal painting in
which you are intimately involved in
its creation.
- The work makes a
profound, but quiet statement that
will add warmth and integrity to
your home or office.
- Serrin’s name has
become recognized in the United
States and throughout the world as
the foremost living Biblical painter
of our time.
All commissions will
be accepted upon the receipt of 50% of
the purchase price at the time the order
is placed. The balance is due upon
delivery of the completed painting.
Prices will be furnished upon request
and depend primarily on the overall size
of the painting and the complexity of
the composition. For a firm quotation on
any proposed painting you can contact
Richard Serrin at his email address:
richardserrin@tiscali.it
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