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Xavier Gonzalez — Sibyl Cumaean
Xavier Gonzalez

Sibyl Cumaean

1973

This introspective gouache painting presents a contemplative elderly man alongside a classical sculptural profile, suggesting themes of artistic creation and the passage of time. A single red rose in a glass vessel sits in the foreground, its vibrant color punctuating the predominantly dark, muted palette of grays and blacks. The composition juxtaposes the rendered realism of the figure's weathered face with the idealized linearity of the classical bust, creating a dialogue between mortality and permanence. The work reflects mid-twentieth-century regionalist painting traditions while engaging with classical references and existential inquiry. Gonzalez's handling of light and shadow creates psychological depth, inviting reflection on aging, artistic legacy, and mortality.

Medium
Gouache on paper board
Dimensions

🔨 Auction Lot

Provincetown Art Association & Museum Benefit Auction

May 16, 2026

Estimate: $600$800

Lot 30

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About this work

Xavier Gonzalez, Sibyl Cumaean, 1973

This introspective gouache painting presents a contemplative elderly man alongside a classical sculptural profile, suggesting themes of artistic creation and the passage of time. A single red rose in a glass vessel sits in the foreground, its vibrant color punctuating the predominantly dark, muted palette of grays and blacks. The composition juxtaposes the rendered realism of the figure's weathered face with the idealized linearity of the classical bust, creating a dialogue between mortality and permanence. The work reflects mid-twentieth-century regionalist painting traditions while engaging with classical references and existential inquiry. Gonzalez's handling of light and shadow creates psychological depth, inviting reflection on aging, artistic legacy, and mortality.

Medium
Gouache on paper board
Dimensions
58.4 x 76.2 cm
Year
1973
Seen at
Eldred's, East Dennis, Massachusetts, United States

Related themes

Existential Theme, Dark Palette, Cape Cod, Regional Painter, Mid Century, Sculpture, Introspection, Classical Reference, Muted Tones, Paper Board, Figurative Art, Portrait, Artistic Process, Psychological Realism, Mortality, Provincetown, Classical Mythology, Gouache, Still Life, Male Figure

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