Loran Speck (American 1943-2011) Trompe L'oeil Still Life with apples. Signed lower left. California-born artist Loran Speck draws the inspiration for his still life paintings from the realist artists of the Renaissance, such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Rubens. Indeed, many say his artistic talents surpass the great Dutch Masters with his brilliant use of light and color. With incredible detail, Speck creates images that look as if you could reach into the painting and take out the objects. Glistening water drops appear to actually be there - causing some to want to wipe the water away. He is dedicated to the principles of classical still life, setting up his arrangements in a shallow space, thereby challenging his own skills to convey the three-dimensionality of fruit and vegetables, urns, bottles and pots. Just as important is Speck's use of light. Dramatic, often theatrical, lighting helps convey form, as in the highlights bouncing off an onionskin contrasted against the darkened chiaroscuro shadows behind it. Overall Size: 21 x 24 in. Sight Size: 12 x 16 in.