PHILIPPE PASQUA (French, b. 1965) "Le Alligators" Mixed Media (Oil & Acrylic on Canvas) 60 x 72 in. (152 x 183 cm) Executed circa 1996 Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist in New York, NY, 1996. A rare and important early work by internationally recognized French contemporary artist Philippe Pasqua, "Le Alligators" exemplifies the artist's distinctive approach to image-making through expressive mark-making, layered surfaces, and a compelling examination of the natural world. Rendered in mixed media with oil and acrylic on canvas, the composition presents two elongated crocodilian figures suspended against a luminous, atmospheric background. One creature appears pale and almost skeletal, delicately articulated through intricate linear drawing, while the second emerges in darker, more gestural passages of paint. The juxtaposition creates a powerful visual tension between presence and absence, life and decay—subjects that have remained central to Pasqua's artistic vision throughout his career. Pasqua is celebrated for his fearless exploration of mortality, vulnerability, and physical existence. A largely self-taught artist, he rose to prominence in the 1990s through monumental paintings distinguished by vigorous brushwork, emotional intensity, and deeply human subject matter. His work is often compared to that of Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud for its psychological depth and uncompromising honesty. While best known for his monumental portraits and figurative paintings, Pasqua has also produced acclaimed works depicting animals, skulls, and vanitas-inspired subjects. These recurring motifs serve as meditations on time, fragility, transformation, and the interconnectedness of living beings. *Le Alligators* belongs to this broader investigation and represents an uncommon opportunity to acquire a significant animal-themed work from the artist's formative period. Today, Philippe Pasqua's work is held in important private and institutional collections worldwide. In addition to painting, he has achieved international recognition for his monumental sculptures, including large-scale skulls and marine creatures exhibited throughout Europe and Asia. Pasqua continues to maintain an active studio practice and oversees "The Storage," a unique exhibition and archive space in France dedicated to presenting his evolving body of work. The direct artist provenance—acquired from Pasqua in New York in 1996—adds notable historical significance and desirability for collectors of contemporary European art. Artwork Details * Artist: Philippe Pasqua (French, b. 1965) * Title: *Le Alligators* * Medium: Mixed Media (Oil & Acrylic on Canvas) * Size: 60 x 72 inches * Date: Circa 1996 * Provenance: Acquired directly from the artist, New York, 1996 * The reverse bears a handwritten dedication, signed and dated by the artist ("Philippe," April 13, 1996), expressing his wish that the painting remain with the recipient for a lifetime as a token of sincere friendship. This personal inscription further strengthens the work's direct artist provenance and historical significance. Condition: Please contact seller for a detailed condition report and additional high-resolution photographs. Professional fine-art packing and insured worldwide shipping available. Serious inquiries welcome.