Richard Bunkall Pasadena, CA 1953-1999 Firefighters oil on canvas 1996, signed 44 x 72 in. (111.8 x 182.9 cm.), Frame: 45 3/4 x 74 in. (116.2 x 188 cm.) Note: Few 20th-century painters have married architectural grandeur with existential intimacy as compellingly as Richard Bunkall. A luminary of the Pasadena art scene and a former professor at ArtCenter College of Design, Bunkall’s work is distinguished by its monumental scale, brooding palette, and an almost metaphysical stillness. His cityscapes and mechanized forms—zeppelins, trains, monolithic buildings—are rendered with a rare mastery of light and texture, evoking the gravitas of Piranesi fused with the cinematic isolation of Edward Hopper. Diagnosed with ALS in the prime of his career, Bunkall continued to paint with astonishing resolve, adapting his tools as the disease progressed, and producing some of his most profound and introspective work in the final years of his life. These paintings are not only triumphs of technique but also profound meditations on time, silence, and perseverance. To encounter a major work by Bunkall today is exceedingly rare; his career, though brilliant, was tragically cut short, leaving behind a scarce and highly coveted body of work. As interest continues to grow among connoisseurs and institutions alike, Bunkall’s oeuvre stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit and the sublime potential of American painting at the close of the 20th century. This item does not qualify for in-house shipping. Please see our preferred shippers' list for quotes or arrange for local pickup. https://www.abell.com/buy-sell/how-to-ship/ Abell provides in-house shipping for select items. Our office is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM for item pickups. Items that cannot be shipped will be noted. An email will go out after invoices are sent. For assistance with shipping, please refer to our shippers' page at https://www.abell.com/buy-sell/how-to-ship/. Payment: Jewelry and coins must be paid by wire transfer, cash, or check (checks subject to clearance before release). The Condition Report states Abell Auction's reasonable opinion as to the lot’s general condition in the terms stated in the particular report, and Abell does not represent or guarantee that a Condition Report includes all aspects of the internal or external condition of the Lot. Items sold at auction are of considerable age and may exhibit wear, usage, repairs, and damage. Therefore, all lots are sold 'as is' and there are no returns or refunds. Abell does not owe the buyer any obligation to report on the condition of the lot and makes no guarantee the condition will be given for the lot. Abell attempts to provide accurate descriptions and images of products online. It is the buyer's responsibility to review all of the information provided about a lot before placing a bid. The buyer acknowledges that the products are sold on an “as-is” basis. Note: Few 20th-century painters have married architectural grandeur with existential intimacy as compellingly as Richard Bunkall. A luminary of the Pasadena art scene and a former professor at ArtCenter College of Design, Bunkall’s work is distinguished by its monumental scale, brooding palette, and an almost metaphysical stillness. His cityscapes and mechanized forms—zeppelins, trains, monolithic buildings—are rendered with a rare mastery of light and texture, evoking the gravitas of Piranesi fused with the cinematic isolation of Edward Hopper. Diagnosed with ALS in the prime of his career, Bunkall continued to paint with astonishing resolve, adapting his tools as the disease progressed, and producing some of his most profound and introspective work in the final years of his life. These paintings are not only triumphs of technique but also profound meditations on time, silence, and perseverance. To encounter a major work by Bunkall today is exceedingly rare; his career, though brilliant, was tragically cut short, leaving behind a scarce and highly coveted body of work. As interest continues to grow among connoisseurs and institutions alike, Bunkall’s oeuvre stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit and the sublime potential of American painting at the close of the 20th century.This item does not qualify for in-house shipping. Please see our preferred shippers' list for quotes or arrange for local pickup. https://www.abell.com/buy-sell/how-to-ship/