'Surrealistic Nude Figures,' by Leonard Kaplan, Painting, c. 1960s

This framed 20" x 14" painting in a surrealist style by artist Leonard Kaplan depicts three nude figures crowded together, sitting and standing with a white bird obscured by the dark shadows. Predominant colors are red, orange, black, and cream. The painting is on paper and masonite framed behind glass in a silver metal frame.

Leonard Kalan is known for surrealism and figure paintings. He died in California in 2008. Leonard was born January 15, 1922 in New York City and won a scholarship in 1940 to study at the Art Student League under Reginald Marsh and William Pair. He won an art scholarship to New York University in the late 1930's. He studied art at the Henry Street Settlement House and befriending many of the era's most influential artists including Paul Cadmus. Kaplan was taught figure drawing by Dean Fausett who invited the young artist to painting murals for the WPA. Kaplan is considered one of the finest surviving bohemian artists who participating the program. He moved to Laguna Beach in 1945 where his work is represented in the Laguna Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum.