2021
Like images from a dream, Rudolf Kosow’s Surrealist figurative and still-life paintings and drawings conjure into reality otherworldly and absurdist scenes.
Kosow was born in 1972 in Karaganda, Kazakhstan. From 1994 to 2000, he studied painting at the city’s State Academy of Fine Arts.
Now based in Germany, he divides his time between Stuttgart and the town of Laichingen. He creates oil paintings based on three subjects: humans, animals and landscapes. He invites the viewer to interpret each work’s enigmatic message. For instance, in Contact, an astronaut is seemingly unaware of a colossal cat’s peering eye. In Missing Pieces, Kosow depicts a couple considering the whereabouts of slices taken from a giant Black Forest cake.
Kosow also explores the nature of human relationships in his portraits, such as Couple and Discord. Capture features a large-scale image of a sleeping girl juxtaposed with a miniature soldier standing guard.
“I try to paint things as realistically and as close as possible to enhance the real impression,” Kosow says in his artist’s statement. Although the imagery in his paintings and figurative drawings can be strange and somewhat unsettling, Kosow’s unique interplay of light and shadow creates a sense of “calm, harmony and peace.”
Kosow has exhibited across Germany and France. His works are sought by collectors of 21st-century Surrealist art.
On 1stDibs, find a range of Rudolf Kosow’s paintings, drawings and more.
Incident II (Pug face dog man's best friend vintage oil painting surreal)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Incident" by Rudolf Kosow is a visually stunning oil painting that masterfully utilizes surrealism and a subtle color palette to emphasize the unexpected juxtaposition of a giant pu...
Canvas, Oil
Curious (black old dog, snout, lady, vintage, animal, surrealist oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Curious," by Rudolf Kosow, is an engaging portrayal of inquisitiveness and wonder, bridging the natural world and humanity. Dominating the scene is a giant bulldog, its face a tapestry of textures from the soft fur to the glistening nose, each detail crafted to convey a lifelike presence. Facing the monumental canine is a small-scale girl, her posture embodying the essence of childhood wonder as she stands before the immense animal. Her tilted head and attentive stance suggest a moment of mutual discovery and fascination. This poignant interaction is a snapshot of the innocent and pure connections that can occur across the divides of size and species. Kosow's "Curious" captures the beautiful moments of discovery that occur when the young and the gentle giants of the animal kingdom meet, encapsulating a shared curiosity that transcends words. The artwork serves as a reminder of the universal language of wonder that connects us all. keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, animal vs human, americana, nature, man, man vs nature, surrealism, giant animal...
Canvas, Oil
Hungry (pet dog, pug snout, cooking lady, animal art, surrealist oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
"Hungry" is a captivating painting by Rudolf Kosow that beautifully illustrates a moment of connection between a gargantuan, doleful-eyed bulldog and a diminutive woman. The dog’s fa...
Canvas, Oil
Protectress (pug, lady archer, bow, arrow, neutrals, surrealism, oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
IN PROTECTRESS, a massive pug, its head resting heavily on the ground, gazes outward with a sorrowful, almost pleading expression. The warm tones of its fur—soft beiges and browns—co...
Canvas, Oil
Vincent's Nightmare (black Lab dog face cop police crime surreal oil painting)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
In VINCENT'S NIGHTMARE, a melancholic black Labrador dominates the composition, its sorrowful eyes reflecting an unspoken tragedy. The rich, textured fur contrasts with the crisp blue sky, creating an atmosphere of quiet despair. A small yet striking figure—a sheriff—stands before the dog, separated by yellow crime scene tape. His posture, with a hand wiping his face, conveys exhaustion, grief, or perhaps regret. The contrast in scale between the enormous, mournful dog and the diminutive officer suggests themes of loss, injustice, or powerlessness. The surrealist juxtaposition of law enforcement with an innocent, grieving creature invites interpretation: is the dog a witness, a victim, or a symbol of something greater? Vincent’s Nightmare evokes an emotional response, urging viewers to contemplate responsibility, empathy, and the weight of unseen sorrow. keywords; painting on canvas, surrealist painting, americana...
Canvas, Oil
Gloomy (pet english bulldog dog surrealism animal men neutral tones)
By Rudolf Kosow
Located in Quebec, Quebec
Please note, the whites areas in the painting are trully white as opposed to bluey as shown in the pictures. Painting is signed at the front. COA provided keywords; surrealism, humo...
Canvas, Oil
Jiao Wang Animal Portrait Original Oil Painting "Puppy's Family Series 4"
By Jiao Wang
Located in New York, NY
Title: Puppy's Family Series 4 Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 19.5 x 15.5 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Note: This painting is unstretched Year: 2000 Circa Artist: Jiao Wang...
Canvas, Oil
Robert Kenneth White “Dog Cart #6” 2016 Figurative Oil Painting on Canvas
By Robert Kenneth White
Located in Miami, FL
ROBERT KENNETH WHITE (B. 1950) – “DOG CART #6” Oil on Canvas ⚜ Hand Signed Lower Right and Titled on Verso ⚜ Frameless Display A CONTEMPLATIVE FIGURATIVE COMPOSITION WITH SURREAL UN...
Oil, Canvas
"Puppy & the Beast" - Original Animal Painting, Oil on Panel
By Dana Hawk
Located in Denver, CO
Artist Statement I grew up in a small town west of St. Louis, MO. To be more specific, I grew up in the woods outside of that small town. Not having many human children around, my...
Oil, Panel
Jiao Wang Animal Original Oil Painting "Puppy's Family Series VI"
By Jiao Wang
Located in New York, NY
Title: Puppy's Family Series VI Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 23 x 23 inches Frame: Framing options available! Condition: The painting appears to be in excellent condition. Note: This painting is unstretched Year: 2000 Circa Artist: Jiao Wang...
Canvas, Oil
"Purple Rose of Cujo" Oil Painting
By Claudia Griesbach-Martucci
Located in Denver, CO
Pug with purple flowers
Oil
The Artist and His Dog, Self Portrait with Black and White Dog, Oil on Canvas
By Bruno Surdo
Located in Chicago, IL
Artists often are alone in their studios with little interaction with the outside world. Bruno is no exception. To ease this loneliness, Bruno brings his most trusted companion wit...
Canvas, Oil
