Reflections on Civilization Painting

Martsolf is a descriptive surrealist with an unbridled imagination. His work seems at first glance to be literary in content and descriptive. The longer I looked at it, the more convinced I became that his visions were authentic, unique and highly subjective. It is very rare to come across an artist who is apparently unknown, especially one who has such sweeping imagination and the technical skills to give reality to his visions. He appears to be an excellent draftsman, a master of arbitrary space and a colorist of more than ordinary competence. If my judgment is accurate, a new artist may have been discovered. January 27, 1981 Frederick P. Walkey Director Metropolitan Museum and Art Centers Coral Gable, Florida