Don Paglia, “Composition in Three Tones”, Trompe l’Oeil Realism Painting, 1980

A 1980 oil glazes over acrylic polymer on canvas trompe l’oeil contemporary realism painting titled “Composition in Three Tones” by notable Los Angeles-based artist, professor, and designer Don Paglia.

Extremely realistic yet deceptively unassuming depiction of a rustic and weathered grey wood door reveals impressive touches, textures, and techniques the longer and closer one looks.

Narrow black gap between door and frame offers a glimpse at the canvas upon which a thin layer of acrylic polymer has been applied to simulate the look and feel of real wood grain. Finished with glossy oil paint glazes that provide color, shading, and highlights to the wood, doorknob, and other delightfully discoverable details such as exposed nail heads.

While the artist’s keen eye, skillful technique, and inventive use of media look great when seen from straight on, they become even more impressive when viewed obliquely and one can appreciate his meticulous recreation of naturally textured materials.

Paglia’s distinctive logotype-like signature and date (“’80”) is at lower right. Verso with title, media, and name written on canvas, as well as two paper tags from a previous unknown gallery describing the same. In original varnished dark brown wood frame.

The following incredibly interesting and impressive artist’s bio is taken from the website of TAG (The Artists Gallery) in Los Angeles, who represents Don Paglia and offers many more of his paintings and sculptural works:

“Los Angeles native Don Paglia is currently Emeritus Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine. He served as Fulbright Senior Research Scholar in Sub-Saharan Africa and continues to conduct research on medical problems threatening rhinoceroses and other exotic wildlife.

Initially a self-taught artist, he received formal training in multiple media under the singular influences of UCLA’s Joe Blaustein and Jan Stussy. He was appointed to the NASA Art Program to document the 1983-84 mission of space shuttle Columbia. His paintings, drawings and sculptures have been exhibited regionally and nationally and have received eleven Best-of-Show awards. They have been included in exhibitions at the Smithsonian and Los Angeles Air & Space Museums, Kennedy Space Center, L.A. County Museum of Art, UCLA, Cal Tech, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Art Institute of Southern California, Mendocino Art Center and others.

He is the past president of the Physicians Art Society and has won international competitions to design the American Society of Hematology logo and the cover of the journal ‘Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine’.

He has also designed logos for components of the UCLA School of Medicine and the Aerospace Historical Society among others, as well as postal caches and commemorative stamp cancellations for the U.S. Postal Service.”

Dimensions overall;
Height: 26.63 in
Width: 18.75 in
Depth: 1.63 in
Art is H 24.5 in. x W 17.88 in.

Condition: GoodWear consistent with age and use. Art is in great vintage condition. Frame is in very good vintage condition, with a few tiny mostly tiny nicks and a couple very small, light scuffs.