The art of Johfra Bosschart, 1919–1998
The Adoration of Pan triptych (1979).
The hyper-detailed paintings of this Dutch artist, who often seems to be referred to by his forename alone, were self-described as “Surrealism based on studies of psychology, religion, the Bible, astrology, antiquity, magic, witchcraft, mythology and occultism”. All bases are covered, in other words, and the work is certainly furious and intense at its best even if it’s not always to my taste. Some of Johfra’s Monsters from the Id are closer to Basil Wolverton than HR Giger which makes for unintentional comedy. As usual with detailed artwork, it’s a shame the reproductions on offer aren’t a larger size.
Moldoror series: The Hermaphrodite (1976).
The pictures here are from one of the online numbers of Visionary Review which a biography and several galleries of work from different periods of Johfra’s career. Thanks to Thom for the reminder about this artist.
Elsewhere on { feuilleton }
• The fantastic art archive
3 comments or trackbacks
#1 posted by Thombeau
Jul 28th, 2011
Some of his stuff I’m indifferent to, but a lot of it is way cool. He was definitely into the things he was into!
#2 posted by Paul
Jul 31st, 2011
Wow, haven’t seen him awhile. This takes me back to the house of my parents, who had poster-sized reproductions of his Zodiac series hanging on the walls. Yes, his surname was always dropped. I did not even know it was Bosschart. Thanks!
#3 posted by leonel contreras
Nov 2nd, 2012
there is any boock explaning the paintings, of Johfra