1969
Painter and draftsman Ian Hornak created vivid hyperrealist and Photorealist works, and was celebrated for his visionary incorporation of multiple-exposure photography into his landscape paintings.
The subject matter at the heart of the world’s finest Photorealist works flickers between crystal-clear reality and dreamy illusion, and Hornak’s representational art is just as compelling, enveloping the viewer with rich imagery and vibrant colors.
The painter was born John Francis Hornak in Philadelphia to Slovakian immigrants who moved to New York when he was still an infant. He became enamored of visual art at an early age — for his ninth birthday, Hornak received a set of oil paints and a book about Renaissance paintings. He reproduced many of the book’s photos of the works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and others so well that they looked like the photographs themselves.
Hornak studied art at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. After earning his bachelor's and master's degrees in fine arts, he moved to New York City in 1968 and befriended Lowell Nesbitt. The realist artist introduced him to Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell, Robert Indiana and others. Hornak resisted the Abstract Expressionist and Pop styles of the era, instead creating work that was noted for its Surrealist and even Romantic elements.
In 1970, Hornak debuted his first paintings in his multiple-exposure style. A year later, the Tibor de Nagy Gallery hosted his first New York City solo exhibition, and his prominence in the art world grew. From 1986 until his death in 2002, Hornak produced botanical and still-life paintings inspired by Flemish and Dutch masters.
Hornak’s work can be found in the permanent collections of many institutions, such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the Library of Congress.
On 1stDibs, find authentic Ian Hornak paintings, drawings, prints and more.
Ian Hornak, The Song of Zephyrus, Variation #2, 1979
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944–2002) Title: The Song of Zephyrus, Variation #2 Year: 1979 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: 71 x 45 inches (180.34 x 114.3 cm) Condition: Well preserved, con...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Childhood of Hephaestus, Variation #5, 1985
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944–2002) Title: Childhood of Hephaestus, Variation #5 Year: 1985 Medium: Acrylic on canvas with artist’s painted frame Size: 47 x 59 inches (119.38 x 149.86 cm...
Canvas, Acrylic, Wood
(Abstract Mythological Landscape) Untitled, 2001, Ian Hornak — Drawing
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: (Abstract Mythological Landscape) Untitled Year: 2001 Medium: Ink on archival paper Size: 11 x 14 inches Condition: Good Provenance: Estate of I...
Ink, Archival Paper
Ian Hornak, Gabriel’s Pavilion: Variation #2, 1979
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944–2002) Title: Gabriel’s Pavilion: Variation #2 Year: 1979 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: 50 x 72 inches (127 x 182.88 cm) Condition: Well preserved, consist...
Canvas, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, Nocturne I: White Peacock, Black Cockatoo, 1990
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944–2002) Title: Nocturne I: White Peacock, Black Cockatoo Year: 1990 Medium: Acrylic on panel, with artist painted frame Size: 58 x 48 inches (147.32 x 121.92 c...
Panel, Acrylic
Ian Hornak, The Angel Concert, Variation #2, 1979
By Ian Hornak
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Ian Hornak (1944–2002) Title: The Angel Concert, Variation #2 Year: 1979 Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: 36 x 48 inches (91.44 x 121.92 cm) Condition: Well preserved, consis...
Canvas, Acrylic
Theseus and the Minotaur II, Painting, Acrylic on Canvas
By Derek Overfield
Located in Yardley, PA
Title: "Theseus and the Minotaur II" Artist: Derek Overfield Revisiting a subject from 2016, this painting portrays the brutal encounter between the hero Theseus and the monstrou...
Acrylic
DEUTEROS II, 2016
By Edward Povey
Located in Atlanta, GA
1972-73 Eastbourne College for Art and Design: Fine Art Foundation Course: studies drawing. Works through the South Coast Period of paintings. Studio: South Coast of England. 1974-81 University of Wales: studied painting under Welsh artist Selwyn Jones. Public and private commissions: twenty-five multistory murals in Wales and England: documented by the BBC and British National Newspapers. Studios: Bethesda and Bangor City, Wales. Studies composition and portraiture. Shows at the Royal Exchange, London; Bangor City Museum, Wales. 1981-82 Commission: The Trial of Saint Deiniol: 19-panel, 18 x 21 ft. painting. Studio: Shropshire, England 1982-86 The New York Times send photographer Dith Pran (on whom the movie The Killing Fields was based) to photograph Povey in New York with The Trial of Saint Deiniol painting at Art Expo New York 1986. Povey is advised by George Bush Senior’s former campaign manager Zena Temkin on shaping his public persona. The BBC film Edward Povey with former President of the Royal Academy of Art in London - Sir Hugh Casson KCVO, RA, RDI in which Sir Hugh interviews Povey about his art career. Public and private commissions for collections in the United States, London, Wales, Belgium, West Indies. Studies symbolism and trains in color with Jan de Maere in Brussels and works through the Tapestry Period of paintings Studio: Grenada, West Indies. 1987-91 Studies psychology and narrative in art whilst he builds the extensive Childhood, Illusion and Desire Period of paintings. Studio: Guisborough, England courtesy of the town mayor. Shows in Belgium, London, New York. 1992-93 Public commission: Hall of Illusion mural: 20 X 40 ft. interior oil painting in the Chamber Concert Hall of the University of Wales. The commission is followed by BBC Television, S4C Television; BBC Radio Four and regional and national newspapers. Studios: Guisborough, England; Bangor City, Wales. Designs the Hall of Illusion mural on the island of Grenada, West Indies. 1994-96 Deepens his studies in the relationship between art and the psyche. Researches new ways to evolve concepts with models using theaters...
Linen, Plaster, Paper, Oil
"Nomos", Oil Painting
By Christopher Remmers
Located in Denver, CO
Christopher Remmers' (US based) "Nomos" is an original, handmade oil painting that depicts a nude man hugging a glowing orb of light to himself as ...
Oil, Panel
Point nine recurring
By Edward Povey
Located in Atlanta, GA
1972-73 Eastbourne College for Art and Design: Fine Art Foundation Course: studies drawing. Works through the South Coast Period of paintings. Studio: South Coast of England. 1974-81 University of Wales: studied painting under Welsh artist Selwyn Jones. Public and private commissions: twenty-five multistory murals in Wales and England: documented by the BBC and British National Newspapers. Studios: Bethesda and Bangor City, Wales. Studies composition and portraiture. Shows at the Royal Exchange, London; Bangor City Museum, Wales. 1981-82 Commission: The Trial of Saint Deiniol: 19-panel, 18 x 21 ft. painting. Studio: Shropshire, England 1982-86 The New York Times send photographer Dith Pran (on whom the movie The Killing Fields was based) to photograph Povey in New York with The Trial of Saint Deiniol painting at Art Expo New York 1986. Povey is advised by George Bush Senior’s former campaign manager Zena Temkin on shaping his public persona. The BBC film Edward Povey with former President of the Royal Academy of Art in London - Sir Hugh Casson KCVO, RA, RDI in which Sir Hugh interviews Povey about his art career. Public and private commissions for collections in the United States, London, Wales, Belgium, West Indies. Studies symbolism and trains in color with Jan de Maere in Brussels and works through the Tapestry Period of paintings Studio: Grenada, West Indies. 1987-91 Studies psychology and narrative in art whilst he builds the extensive Childhood, Illusion and Desire Period of paintings. Studio: Guisborough, England courtesy of the town mayor. Shows in Belgium, London, New York. 1992-93 Public commission: Hall of Illusion mural: 20 X 40 ft. interior oil painting in the Chamber Concert Hall of the University of Wales. The commission is followed by BBC Television, S4C Television; BBC Radio Four and regional and national newspapers. Studios: Guisborough, England; Bangor City, Wales. Designs the Hall of Illusion mural on the island of Grenada, West Indies. 1994-96 Deepens his studies in the relationship between art and the psyche. Researches new ways to evolve concepts with models using theaters...
Oil, Linen, Plaster, Paper
ADROGUE II, 2013-2016
By Edward Povey
Located in Atlanta, GA
1972-73 Eastbourne College for Art and Design: Fine Art Foundation Course: studies drawing. Works through the South Coast Period of paintings. Studio: South Coast of England. 1974-81 University of Wales: studied painting under Welsh artist Selwyn Jones. Public and private commissions: twenty-five multistory murals in Wales and England: documented by the BBC and British National Newspapers. Studios: Bethesda and Bangor City, Wales. Studies composition and portraiture. Shows at the Royal Exchange, London; Bangor City Museum, Wales. 1981-82 Commission: The Trial of Saint Deiniol: 19-panel, 18 x 21 ft. painting. Studio: Shropshire, England 1982-86 The New York Times send photographer Dith Pran (on whom the movie The Killing Fields was based) to photograph Povey in New York with The Trial of Saint Deiniol painting at Art Expo New York 1986. Povey is advised by George Bush Senior’s former campaign manager Zena Temkin on shaping his public persona. The BBC film Edward Povey with former President of the Royal Academy of Art in London - Sir Hugh Casson KCVO, RA, RDI in which Sir Hugh interviews Povey about his art career. Public and private commissions for collections in the United States, London, Wales, Belgium, West Indies. Studies symbolism and trains in color with Jan de Maere in Brussels and works through the Tapestry Period of paintings Studio: Grenada, West Indies. 1987-91 Studies psychology and narrative in art whilst he builds the extensive Childhood, Illusion and Desire Period of paintings. Studio: Guisborough, England courtesy of the town mayor. Shows in Belgium, London, New York. 1992-93 Public commission: Hall of Illusion mural: 20 X 40 ft. interior oil painting in the Chamber Concert Hall of the University of Wales. The commission is followed by BBC Television, S4C Television; BBC Radio Four and regional and national newspapers. Studios: Guisborough, England; Bangor City, Wales. Designs the Hall of Illusion mural on the island of Grenada, West Indies. 1994-96 Deepens his studies in the relationship between art and the psyche. Researches new ways to evolve concepts with models using theaters...
Linen, Plaster, Paper, Oil
"Effect-5 , " Acrylic on Canvas - Surrealist
By ivan Plusch
Located in Houston, TX
In his "Effect" series, we see how Plusch gives location - places and spaces resembling the world around us - the same treatment once reserved for his abstract human forms. Effective...
Acrylic
