Pierre Merkl III aka Mr. Lucky

Pierre Merkl

The Painting Detective

Pierre Merkl (born New York City) is a professional observer of human behavior. As a private investigator, his experience and expertise was extensive. The pursuit of evidentiary truth and aesthetic philosophy inspired a lifetime artistic practice.

Merkl’s paintings are celebrated as tableaus of imagined people and questionable activities—in brightness and shadow—as parody and realistic. The artist delivers a unique, painterly style suggesting mystery, confrontation and warning.

The work is accomplished, displaying the technical finesse and majesty of the old masters; an atmosphere infused with the psychological edginess and intrigue of the German Expressionists. He has been active in New York (currently) and California.

Write: pierremerkl3@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Desiree Pfeiffer

Recent

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IT HAPPENED HERE, Oil on canvas, 2017-2020, 60 x 72

THE MUSICIANS & TECHIES BRAWL, Oil on canvas, 2017-2020, 48 x 48

I WAS JUST YOU BEING ME, Oil on canvas, 2017-2020, 36 x 48

THE COLOR OF DYING AND BEING BORN AT THE SAME TIME, Oil on canvas, 2016-2019, 60 x 48

PEACE PROCESS, Oil on canvas, 2017-2020, 60 x 72

LIFERS SEARCH FOR DELIGHT, Watercolor on paper, 2019, 22 x 30

Scenes Schemes & Genes (Skeins)

EXHIBITION CATALOG 2008-2014

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EXHIBITION CATALOG 2008-2014

Situations, Segues & Encounters

EXHIBITION CATALOG 2000-2007

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EXHIBITION CATALOG 2000-2007

Death & Life

1980 to Recent

DEATHMASK, Charcoal on paper, 1989, 12 x 18

DEATHMASK, Intaglio etching with watercolor (EV), 2000, 11 x 14

LIVELY WOMAN, Oil on canvas, 2018, 24 x 18

SANDRA, Watercolor on paper, 1988, 30 x 22

EMILY DICKINSON, Watercolor on paper, 1988, 30 x 22

PORTRAITS IN DEATH / COMMISSIONS.Clicking will open PDF in new window

Writing

Backstory

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Getting Lucky: Documentary of the life and work of Pierre Merkl

"Press Kit" includes links to the trailer and the 21 minute version shown at the festivals. (NOTE: Vimeo PW is lucky.) Principal; Oscar Bucher, writer, director & producer; Tommy Maples & Evolve Media, producer; 2014. Selected and screened at SF DocFest; New York Independent Film Festival; & Venice California Institute of Contemporary Art / Fine Arts Film Festival (Winner, Audience Award).

Pierre Merkl met Robert Dowd and his wife, the artist Mara Devereux in 1971, and remained close until their deaths. Merkl is the executor of the Robert Dowd Estate; he contributed to this catalog by Michael Zakian.

Dowd back cover

Pierre Merkl met Richard Faralla in 1986, becoming his student, studio assistant and friend. Merkl remained close to Faralla until his death, and curated the Faralla memorial exhibition in 1996. Merkl contributed to this catalog by Patricia Watts.