Art & Decor Trends

The Top Ten Oil Paintings for Father’s Day

June 20 is approaching. That means Father’s Day. That also means that I have ten secrets to tell. Here are the top ten oil paintings to consider for Father’s Day:

10. The Martha McKean of Wellfleet, Edward Hopper (1944)

If Dad can’t yet afford the boat but is an art lover, this might be the perfect match. The painting depicts a memorable excursion across the sea on a bright, serene day. The piece would suit a room with a sailing or sea theme. The artist, Edward Hopper, had a talent for depicting classic scenes of urban and rural life, arousing nostalgia as timeless as his art.

9. The Card Players, Paul Cezanne

Sometimes it is really nice to have a weekend with the guys, to sit around, play cards, watch a game, and have a few drinks. Whether this piece evokes a few good memories or Dad is just a fan of Cezanne’s work, it stays with the viewer and makes for a likely candidate for Father’s Day.

Cezanne produced a series of card players, most of which were men who worked on the family estate. Though the title is The Card Players, Cezanne’s focus is on the peasant men playing cards, revealing a love for his culture and heritage.

8. The Tartan ‘El Son’, Salvador Dali

A son takes to the wild sea in a small boat with a destination in sight. A father’s son following his dreams, an honest depiction of a sailor’s love for the sea… The painting is one that will certainly inspire association and the creation of a narrative, especially as Dali employed symbolism in his works.

Though Dali is known today as an active member of the Surrealist art movement, this work has an impressionistic realism in the vein of Cezanne. Dali’s imagination and expression extended to many movements and media, including but not limited to photography and film. Perhaps such a daring and expressive piece would be a well-suited match.

7. Violet, Green and Red, Mark Rothko (1951)

Rothko’s works were innovative, even for Abstract Expressionism. Rothko used few colors, but they make an impact. The artist strove to communicate emotion through color and simplistic composition, rather than form. Violet, Green, and Red seem to create a complete composition, yet beckon the viewer to look through a window of red, to ask if the colors are divided or cohesive. Each color is illuminated. This piece has the quality of an attention grabber that renders one speechless. Sound like Dad?

6. Soft Watch At The Moment Of Explosion, Salvador Dali

A true Surrealist work of Dali. For those unfamiliar with the Surrealist movement and Dali, the first question a viewer may ask is, “What?” Soft Watch At The Moment of Explosion is a satyrical pun as much as it is a Surrealist painting. Dali is certainly recalled for his use of soft, melting watches. Most interpret this as the rejection of time having constraints. Surrealism, an art movement of the 1920s, employs non sequitur humor in his use of seemingly meaningless objects to make his audience think, as well as laugh. If Dad has a satirical sense of humor and an appreciation for the eccentric, he may know the perfect place this work of art should hang in order to baffle his guests.

5. Girl With Pearl Earring, by Johannes Vermeer (1665)

I once overheard a married man discussing this painting over coffee. He said that it reminded him of his wife and how they met, the look she gave him. This painting isn’t meant to be a classic portrait but truly has the look as though the viewer or artist has been captured by a moment from across the room.

Known as the “Mona Lisa of the North” this mysterious woman is certainly reminiscent of her named sister. The pearl earring, instead of a smile, is the focal point of one with attention to the seemingly insignificant details of our lives. Categorized as a Dutch Baroque painter, Vermeer’s works depict many figures interacting in a near classical sense with their environments. Yet, his works depicting a girl with a seemingly simple object, her attention on the viewer, makes one feel alone in the room with her.

4. Rhytmus, Piet Mondrian

Black lines on white, some blue and yellow. A prime mover of the De Stijl, or The Style, Dutch art movement, Mondrian’s works explores order and spirituality through the use of line and color. His works utilized primary colors and black lines. To Mondrian, the use of double lines gave his work a more dynamic expression. A pattern forms and is explored by the viewer. Artistic tetra, this work would suit a home with similar decor and holistic exploration as its composition. Mondrian was just as particular with his studio, recreating his art on the walls and furniture of his studio, interchanging the patterns to better suit his creative mood.

3.  From The Lake I, Georgia O’Keefe

Most of us think of Georgia O’Keefe’s flowers, and also the fact that somewhere in every painting is a representational depiction of female fertility. The more serious reason to consider purchasing this painting is that it has a lot of blue. A poll gathered in various countries reveals that blue is the world’s favorite color. This color is often painted in rooms to calm, soothe, and increase the spiritual vibe in a room. This piece is modern and abstract and would flatter a home furnished with curving, Contempo furniture, specifically art deco.

2. Starry Night, Vincent Van Gogh (1889)

Name a man, woman, or child (in at least elementary school) who does not know or dislike this painting. To reiterate an earlier point, apparently blue make humanity happy. Van Gogh, himself, was not known as a commonly happy man, and his works often reflect his emotions. Yet, Starry Night utilizes striking primary colors, barely diluted in shade from their true hues. The stars shine big and bright against the small town, swirling and changing, almost alive. The stars arch toward the upper right of the canvas, a positive direction. This work is classic and a favorite of art history. If it is Dad’s favorite, why not indulge him?

1. Night Hawks, by Edward Hopper (1942)

Another classic representation, this top selection is about atmosphere. The nostalgia of that old downtown, when everything is closed down for the night and the viewer is at their favorite haunt, like a classic noir… Think China Town, The Maltese Falcon, A Cry in the Night, Strangers on a Train, The Big Sleep… just to get started. The guy may or may not get the girl, but he almost always solves the case.

The diner extends across the length of the composition and the viewer watches from across the street, taking in the atmosphere. This piece is a must-have for Dad.

Buy Original Art For Dad

The best part? These are not prints, but carefully hand-rendered reproductions. Hang a bit of the artist that suits Dad in his favorite spot with original, stylish, and affordable artwork. You can also request a custom size. Find these paintings and more at overstockArt.com: Gifts For Dad.