The artwork, titled “Ben Riegel,” was created by Howard Finster in 1978 and belongs to the Art Brut movement. It is a portrait genre piece depicting a male figure set against a simple, yet vibrant background.
In this artwork, the viewer is presented with a stylized representation of a man with a solemn expression, dressed formally in a brown suit and black tie. The figure is centered on the canvas, and the background features horizontal bands of colors, transitioning from muted tones at the bottom to more vivid hues towards the top. The painting’s border is intricately detailed, creating a decorative frame around the portrait. The work embodies the distinctive, raw aesthetic characteristic of Art Brut, emphasizing unrefined and direct expression.
