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.
