The artwork named “A Visit to / A Visit from the Island,” created by Eric Fischl in 1983, depicts scenes using oil on canvas. This piece is representative of the Contemporary Realism movement and falls within the genre of genre painting. It is currently housed at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork is a diptych contrasting two distinct scenes, likely portraying different narratives involving interactions with island surroundings. On the left panel, there is a depiction of leisure with sunbathers and individuals being at ease in the water near a boat, set against a backdrop of distant modern buildings. In contrast, the right panel presents a more dramatic and intense scene of rescue or turmoil, with figures seemingly pulling people from turbulent waters under a stormy sky. The disparity between the tranquil and chaotic settings in each panel creates a thought-provoking juxtaposition, enhanced by Fischl’s realistic portrayal and attention to detail.