James Dean Painting. Might James Dean have won distinction as a Dali-esque artist of bizarre and spectral images? You decide...

Description

James Dean Painting. Might James Dean have won distinction as a Dali-esque artist of bizarre and spectral images? You decide as you study this painting, created by Dean about 1954. He titled it The Road to Happiness -- an ironic title, due to the tragic fate of the artist and the dark nature of the painting. Upon first glance, the painting appears to show a shiningly white, giant God-like figure towering behind a sinister forest of gaunt, stark, fire-charred trees, and presumably one must cross the wicked forest to reach the light (and the "happiness"). But what are those gangrenous-looking gouges on the god-like figure, and is he at the back of the forest, or trapped inside it? The interpretation is entirely your own. However, there's no denial here of Dean's fervent imagination and his clearly taunting emotion to get his own gods, demons, and private fascinations out of his mind and onto a canvas. On the reverse side, the words "The Road to Happiness by J.D. About 1954" are written in red marker, as is the inscription, "For Lion A True Friend Always - Pat 1962." Added later in black ink are the words, "A gift to my friends Rose and Ralph - Lion 4/14/70." The name "Pat Jordan" is stamped five times en verso and several times on the wooden frame, the front and sides of which are painted gold (with several blotches). The frame measures 21.5" x 27.5". An astounding look into the complexity of James Dean, and an example of his dark nature that continues to tease and fascinate more than 50 years after his death. With COA from David Loehr.

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