Bernard Murray Martin (American, 1935-2021), Standing Figure

Oil and metallic paint on canvas, unsigned, retaining unidentified exhibition label to the verso, presented in a silvered floater frame.

Stretcher size 68 1/2 x 68 1/2 in. Frame dimensions 69 3/4 x 69 3/4 in.

Bernard Murray Martin was an influential artist and educator born in Ferrum, Virginia. He earned a BFA from Richmond Professional Institute (now VCU) and an MFA from Hunter College. As the founding chair of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Painting and Printmaking, he played a central role in shaping art education in the region.

Martin’s work spanned conceptualism, text-image combinations, and pop-cultural commentary. He exhibited widely and is represented in major collections including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. He received honors including NEA and VMFA fellowships and the Pollak Lifetime Achievement Award.

Drawing lines to corners, area of craquelure to top center edge of canvas, scattered allover foxing and surface grime; light wear and loss to silver taped edges of frame.