
David Fertig
The Nymphe and the Flora, 2013
oil on Masonite
21 1/8 x 19 in.
Drawing influence from French Romanticism and Post-Impressionism, with an emphasis on the Nabis painters, to action and color field painting of the Abstract Expressionists, David Fertig culls various stylistic elements to invent an original language emphasizing most notably an expressive use of color to convey form. As the artist explained, “I look at everything. I borrow from everyone.” His sources, however, are not only pictorial but also written. Fertig studies who the historical personages were and learns of the details involved in the battles, inventing a pictorial rendition to suit their descriptions. These paintings are not intended as history paintings in the traditional sense of the genre. Rather, they are taken from actual events without placing an emphasis on the narrative element. The movement and drama of these military engagements comes alive in each panel through Fertig’s expressive surfaces.
"Affectless, informal and, at times, breezy and brusque, his brush moves with quiet bravura."
-Mario Naves
DAVID FERTIG
1946
Born in Philadelphia, PA
EDUCATION
1972
MFA, The Art Institute of Chicago, IL
1967
BFA, Philadelphia College of Art, PA
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2023
Paintings and Pastels, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2016
Paintings, The Century Association, New York, NY
Paintings and Drawings by David Fertig, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, New York, NY
2015
Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
David Fertig, Galerie de Bellefeuille, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
2013
Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2012
David Fertig, Galerie de Bellefeuille, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
2011
Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
David Fertig, PDX Contemporary Art, Portland, OR
2010
David Fertig, Sladmore Contemporary, London, UK
2009
New Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Recent Paintings, James Graham & Sons, New York, NY
2007
Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2006
New Work, James Graham & Sons, New York, NY
2005
Recent Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
David Fertig: Paintings, James Graham & Sons, New York, NY
2004
New Paintings, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2001
Paintings & Pastels, Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS & REVIEWS
2014
Pocaro, Alan. "Expo Dispatches: Figures that Stand Their Ground." NewCityArt. 9 Sept.
2013
Upchurch, Michael. “Some eerie, startling work at Prographica’s ‘Figures & Faces’.” The Seattle Times. 27 December.
Baker, Kenneth. “David Fertig Paul Thiebaud San Francisco.” ARTnews. September. pp. 105–106.
“Bay Area Weekend Picks, April 18–21, Visual Arts: Painting.” San Francisco Chronicle. 18 April.
Malafronte, Allison." David Fertig’s Solo Exhibition at Paul Thiebaud Gallery in San Francisco.” Fine Art Connoisseur. April.
2012
David Fertig. Galerie de Bellefuille, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
2011
Baker, Kenneth. “Fertig at Thiebaud: His Aim a Mystery or History?” San Francisco Chronicle. 7 May.
2007
Twenty-Five Treasures. Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Fall 2007.
David Fertig
The Quimper Pitcher, 2012
oil on Masonite
9 1/4 x 6 in.
David Fertig
Lord Cochrane’s Cutter, 2007
pastel on paper
6 1/4 x 10 5/8 in.
David Fertig
Trafalgar, 2023
oil on canvas panel
11 x 14 in.
David Fertig
1812, 2003
oil on panel
9 3/8 x 10 7/8 in.
David Fertig
Chateau, 2011
oil on wood panel
9 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.
David Fertig
Hussars, 2007
oil on Masonite
7 x 10 1/4 in.
David Fertig
The Girl on the Cliff, 2012
oil on Masonite
12 1/2 x 11 3/4 in.
David Fertig
Quiberon Bay, 2007
pastel on paper
8 1/4 x 14 7/8 in.
David Fertig
The Shannon and The Chesapeake, 2023
oil on Masonite
23 x 24 1/4 in.
David Fertig
Aide de Campe, 2018
pastel on paper
10 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.
David Fertig
1813, 2012
oil on canvasboard
7 x 10 in.
David Fertig
L'Orient, 2011
oil on paperboard
9 5/16 x 10 7/16 in.
David Fertig
Trafalgar, 2023
oil on on canvas panel
10 x 8 in.
David Fertig
Aide de Campe, 2007
oil on Masonite
73 3/4 x 48 1/8 in.
David Fertig
The Nyphe and the Flora, 2013
oil on Masonite
21 1/8 x 19 in.
David Fertig
The Mizzentop, 2023
oil on Masonite
12 3/4 x 12 7/8 in.
David Fertig
Delacroix Escapes, 2023
pastel on paper
11 1/8 x 15 1/8 in.
David Fertig
The Arrest of the King of France, 2023
oil on panel
13 1/4 x 14 1/2 in.
David Fertig
Ciudad Rodrigo, 2023
oil on Masonite
12 7/8 x 12 3/4 in.
David Fertig
Hussar, 2018
pastel on paper
8 5/8 x 7 3/4 in.
David Fertig
Open Boat, 2018
pastel over etching
5 5/16 x 7 7/8 in.
David Fertig
Jack Ashore, 2023
oil on panel
4 1/4 x 14 in.
David Fertig
Trafalgar, 2023
oil on illustration board
10 x 13 1/4 in.
David Fertig
Delacroix, 2012
oil on Masonite
12 x 9 1/2 in.
David Fertig
Audobon's Studio, 2012
oil on Masonite
16 1/2 x 14 3/4 in.
David Fertig
Officer, First Foot Guards, 2005
oil on wood
10 13/16 x 11 1/4 in.
David Fertig
Austerlitz, 2023
oil on Masonite
12 1/4 x 13 3/8 in.