Rick Fleury - Paintings on Copper

Works on Copper

Painting on copper was popular from the mid sixteenth to mid-eighteenth centuries. Masters from Europe to South America, including Rembrandt to El Greco, found copper to be an intriguing surface on which to paint. Usually small, but incredibly rich in detail, the masterworks often used the color, reflectiveness and luminosity of the copper as an integral part of the palette. The works often depicted allegorical, mythological and sacred themes, as well as some remarkable still-lifes. The techniques used to paint on copper, however, were guarded by these masters, and, apparently not passed on, banishing the practice to what many have considered a lost art.

I stumbled upon copper as a painting surface about five years ago in my local hardware store. The surface intrigued me, and I finally came upon a “treatment” that worked. In keeping with tradition, all are engraved on the back with an artist mark. What has resulted is a body of work that continues to expand and fascinate me, and, happily, my collectors, as well. They offer a “living canvas” — with portions of raw copper peaking through which may change over time — a shiny rock today, or copper strands of sand, may patina, becoming a moss-covered rock, for example, or ruddy shoreline or seaweed. Other “treated” portions are intentionally left exposed to retain the natural beauty of the copper, and are a permanent part of the painting.

Lately, I’m working more with the luminosity of copper as I continue to explore the potentials of this material — allowing the treated copper to blend with the paint, pushing the potentials and radiance of this beautiful, smooth surface. It continues to inspire, surprise and delight me. But, in keeping with tradition, I, too, have chosen not to disclose my technique of treating the copper to receive the paint.

White Sands II
Oil on Copper 5 x 7 Framed 5.25 x 7.25 $350

Pamet Hills
Oil on Copper 5 x 7 Framed 5.25 x 7.25 $350

Dunes, South Truro II
Oil on Copper 5 x 7 Framed 5.25 x 7.25 $350

Evening Tide
Oil on Copper 6 x 18 Framed 6.25 x 18.25 $1,200

Copper Tide
Oil on Copper 6 x 18 Framed 6.5 x 18.5 $1,200