From the swirling depths of crimson and ochre, a face emerges – fleeting and phantasmal, like a memory resurfacing from the recesses of the mind. This is the untold story of a father’s love, loss, and legacy, captured in the abstract brushstrokes of a painting that has remained hidden from the world until now.
The Revelation of Dan With Map
The painting in question is “Dan With Map,” a 1967 work by the renowned abstract expressionist Frank Bowling. What sets this piece apart is the ethereal image of a young boy that materializes from the vibrant washes of color – a portrait of Bowling’s late son, Richard Sheridan “Dan” Bowling.
For years, the painting hung in Dan’s London flat, a cherished memento of a life cut tragically short. After his passing in 2001 at the age of 39, the artwork was moved into storage, its existence known only to a select few. Now, it is set to make its public debut at the Holburne Museum in Bath, joining an illustrious lineup of portraits by the likes of Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, and David Hockney.
Deciphering the Riddles Within
Yet, as Bowling’s younger son Ben reveals, the curators were initially uncertain about including “Dan With Map” in the exhibition. The portrait within was so faint, so ethereal, that it was nearly imperceptible at first glance. It is a painting that demands time and attention, drawing the viewer in with its enigmatic allure.
“A lot of people don’t see this ethereal image of my older brother Dan at first. It’s so faint that you can barely see it unless you know it’s there.”
– Ben Bowling
Bowling created the work by silk-screening a black and white photograph of a four- or five-year-old Dan onto the canvas, then partially obscuring it with layers of oil paint. The result is a haunting interplay of representation and abstraction, a testament to the enduring bond between father and son.
The Map to a Father’s Heart
Another riddle lies in the map that gives the painting its name. Bowling often incorporated maps into his works, and “Dan With Map” features what appears to be a coastline in the lower portion of the canvas. The specific geography remains unidentified, a mystery that the Holburne Museum will invite visitors to unravel.
Perhaps, in the end, the map is more metaphorical than literal – a chart of a father’s love, a guide to the uncharted territories of grief and memory. In the interplay of presence and absence, revelation and concealment, “Dan With Map” becomes a poignant testament to the indelible imprint that our loved ones leave upon our lives and our art.
A Legacy Emerging
As Bowling’s first solo exhibition in Paris approaches and his reputation continues to grow, “Dan With Map” serves as a reminder of the deeply personal dimensions of his art. It is a painting that speaks to the universal experiences of love, loss, and the desire to hold onto those we hold dear, even as time and fate conspire to take them from us.
“It’s great to see this painting exhibited for the very first time – my father’s loving tribute to his first-born son.”
– Ben Bowling
In the end, “Dan With Map” is more than just a previously unseen work by a master of abstract expressionism. It is a portrait of a father’s love, a map of the human heart, and a testament to the enduring power of art to preserve and reveal the most profound and intimate of human experiences. As it takes its place among the iconic portraits of our time, it invites us to contemplate the faces and the stories that lie hidden within the canvases of our own lives.
