“Birthday Boy,” created by the artist Eric Fischl in 1983, is a notable artwork within the art movement of Contemporary Realism. This nude painting (nu) delves into the complexities of human form and intimate settings.
The artwork portrays a scene set in a dimly lit room featuring a male figure reclining on a bed, mostly enveloped in red sheets. Within the same room, another figure, likely a child, is also present on the bed. The room has a window offering a glimpse of an urban nightscape, suggesting the setting is a city. The foreground displays a table with a few items, including a glass jug, glasses, and a cloth napkin. The background is adorned with a painting on the wall and a table lamp that illuminates part of the room. The juxtaposition of the intimate indoor scene with the vibrant outside city view creates a compelling narrative for the viewer.