Artist Sean Scully Appraisal

Abstract Geometric Painting by Sean Scully, 2008

This is a significant abstract oil painting, attributed to the renowned contemporary artist Sean Scully, dated 2008. The artwork measures approximately 1.15 x 1.02 meters and is executed on canvas. The composition is characteristic of Scully’s mature style, featuring a grid-like arrangement of loosely defined rectangular blocks or 'bricks.' The palette is earthy and sophisticated, consisting of deep ochre, terracotta, charcoal, stone grey, and muted beige. The medium appears to be oil, applied in rich, tactile layers that create a subtle impasto texture. The edges between the color blocks are softly feathered and slightly uneven, revealing underlying layers of paint and reflecting the artist's focus on the physical process of painting and the relationship between architectural structure and human emotion. The construction shows a heavy-duty stretcher bar, and the canvas surface appears to be in excellent condition with no visible cracking (craquelure), sagging, or paint loss. The heavy application of pigment and the deliberate, rhythmic brushwork are hallmarks of high-quality craftsmanship associated with late-period minimalism and emotional abstraction. This piece represents the ‘Wall’ or ‘Stack’ series themes prevalent in Scully's work from this decade.