Artwork

Deck Chair

Deck Chair, by Arturo di Stefano, 1998
Deck Chair, by Arturo di Stefano, 1998

Deck Chair is a print by Arturo di Stefano. It dates from 1998 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This print shows a lone deck chair facing the sea. Arturo di Stefano made it in 1998 as part of his “Strands” series. It’s an aquatint print, so colors sit like soft watercolor washes.

Bright orange and sand hues suggest a hot summer day. Yet the empty chair feels quiet and still, like someone just stepped away.

Check out Arturo di Stefano.

Overview

Deck Chair is a 1998 aquatint print by Arturo di Stefano, part of his Strands series. The work juxtaposes vibrant, summer-evocative colors with a contemplative, solitary subject.

Subject & Meaning

A lone deck chair faces the sea, conveying a sense of absence and solitude. The empty chair suggests a recent departure, inviting reflection on the transient nature of human presence.

Technique & Style

As an aquatint, the print features soft, watercolor-like washes. Di Stefano's diverse artistic practice (encompassing woodcut, painting, and varied subjects) underpins this technically versatile piece.

History & Provenance

Created in 1998, Deck Chair is one of several works in di Stefano's Strands series. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

The contrast between the print's upbeat colors (burning orange, sandy hues) and its melancholic subject underscores a common theme in di Stefano's work: the interplay between diverse emotional and aesthetic elements.

Legacy

While specific legacy or impact of Deck Chair is not detailed, it reflects di Stefano's exploration of solitude and transience, potentially resonating with viewers on a personal level.

Artist & collection

Artist

Arturo di Stefano

Arturo di Stefano made prints and paintings in the late 20th century. In our bundle you’ll find the 1998 print Deck Chair, a spare, flat-color image that feels like a snapshot you’d tape to a fridge. The work belongs to…