Christ Church Spitalfields, Friday Evening

1991

Christ Church Spitalfields, Friday Evening, 1991. Leon Kossoff (British, 1926-). Oil and newspaper on pressboard panel; framed: 187 x 127 x 6.5 cm (73 5/8 x 50 x 2 9/16 in.); unframed: 182.2 x 122.1 cm (71 3/4 x 48 1/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund 1995.25 British artist Leon Kossof is known for his urban landscapes and figurative paintings of life in London. This painting is one of a series of Christ Church in the Spitalfields neighborhood of London, where the artist grew up. Kossof conveys the enormity of the church by abruptly cutting it off at its tower, which presses against the top of the panel. Kossof's technique of using thick masses of paint creates texture and rhythm within his muted color palette.