Figure in Dark Landscape

A large and very striking mid century modernist composition in gouache, by British artist Enos Lovatt (1937-2018).

This vibrant gouache painting showcases an abstract, expressive portrait of a figure, executed with energetic, gestural lines and a vivid colour palette.

Dominated by electric blues, purples, reds, greens, and black, with accents of yellow, pink, and white. The intense use of colour creates a dynamic, almost chaotic atmosphere. The central figure is constructed with a loose, overlapping web of continuous, scribbled lines. The facial features—particularly the eyes—are more defined yet still fragmented, conveying a sense of complexity and introspection.

The painting exudes intensity and vulnerability, inviting viewers to engage with the emotional landscape behind the fragmented human figure.

The painting is presented within in a card mount and a ochre wooden frame with silver leaf detailing, and is protected behind perspex. Both painting and frame are in excellent vintage condition. The painting has very small losses to upper corners of paper as seen in the photos.

Enos Lovatt (1937–2018) studied at Burslem School of Art and the Royal College of Art (1959–1962) before becoming Senior Lecturer in Fine Art at Staffordshire Polytechnic until 1992. A prolific artist, he worked in oils, gouache, acrylics, ceramics, and biro, leaving behind thousands of works. He exhibited sporadically, including solo shows in City Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, one man shows at the Paton and Woodstock Galleries in London and at Stafford Museum and Art Gallery.

Much of Enos’ work on paper from the 1950s to 1970s uses gouache, often in tandem with other media. Gouache allowed his joy and passion for colour to shine. Enos’ work straddled the worlds of figurative and abstracted art as he dipped into both with equal enthusiasm.

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