Michael Crespo estate

b. 1947, New Orleans; d. 2010, Baton Rouge, LA
The vocabulary of my motifs slowly expands along my methods of making. There is always revisitation, a review of a subject previously viewed: perhaps in a slightly shifted light, or temperature...in another field of mind, in another act of doing.
Lagoon at Dusk
Lagoon at Dusk

Michael Crespo is recognized for striking representational paintings of fish, animals, fruit and flowers that verge on the autobiographica. Anchored by mysterious deep black backgrounds, these haunting compositions heighten the importance of familiar images while exposing their mystical qualities. Inspired by Italian Renaissance paintings and Jungian theories, Crespo’s dreams informed the imagery for these highly realist depictions of the vulnerability and graceful strength of nature. Crespo’s work re-establishes the universal spiritual connections between man, animal and the natural world.

Michael Crespo was born in New Orleans in 1947 and passed away in Baton Rouge in 2010. He received his MFA degree from the City University of New York and BFA from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. He was a leading LSU School of Art faculty member for 40 years, serving as director from 1990-96. He exhibited constantly across the country, and his work is in numerous collections including the Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans; Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock; J. McIlhenny Collection, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge; Louisiana Arts & Sciences Center, Baton Rouge Louisiana Division of the Arts, Baton Rouge; Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans; Rose Family Foundation, Memphis; and the Taco Bell Corporation, San Diego, CA.

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Lagoon at Dusk
Lagoon at Dusk
Saturn 1951
Saturn 1951
The Cobia
The Cobia
Light
Light
Untitled (Full Moon)
Untitled (Full Moon)
Untitled (Oranges)
Untitled (Oranges)
Waterlily
Waterlily
Andrea Palladio's Sparrow
Andrea Palladio's Sparrow
Providence
Providence
Baying The Rose
Baying The Rose
Meadow
Meadow
Adagietto
Adagietto
Jane The Ewe
Jane The Ewe
2 Circles
2 Circles
Lagoon at Dusk
Lagoon at Dusk
oil and tin on panel, 20x28
1997
Saturn 1951
Saturn 1951
oil and lead on panel, 49.25x33
1993
The Cobia
The Cobia
oil and tin on panel, 24x48
1992
Light
Light
oil an tin on panel, 14x17
1996
Untitled (Full Moon)
Untitled (Full Moon)
watercolor on paper, 40.25x26
c. 2007
Untitled (Oranges)
Untitled (Oranges)
watercolor on paper, 23x30.25
c. 2007
Waterlily
Waterlily
oil on linen, 16x12
2004
Andrea Palladio's Sparrow
Andrea Palladio's Sparrow
oil on linen, 42x36
2003
Providence
Providence
watercolor on paper, 40x26
2009
Baying The Rose
Baying The Rose
watercolor on paper, 40x26
2007
Meadow
Meadow
oil on linen, 24x34
2002
Adagietto
Adagietto
oil on linen, 42x36
2005
Jane The Ewe
Jane The Ewe
oil on canvas, 14x16
2007
2 Circles
2 Circles
oil on canvas, 40x60
2010

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