Description

The Lost Child (2023): Original Recovery Art Oil Painting

The Lost Child (2023) is a poignant, deeply evocative original oil painting on canvas by South African contemporary artist Lucille Fernandes-Stangl. Measuring an impressive 800mm x 1200mm, this large-scale portraiture work explores themes of family history, hidden identity, and the discovery of unexpressed aspects of self. Featuring rich impasto oil brushwork integrated with subtle collage elements, the painting presents an expressive face framed with soft scarf detail, capturing a fleeting yet timeless expression of quiet reflection.

“Studious at school, she pushed herself hard, (no one else thought to), is conservative and hardworking. She eschews the spotlight. With all of these things that I know for sure, this moment flies in the face of all of that. This wild, crazy child. The Lost Child forms part of a collection of work about my family, the source material of a time that I did not know my sister. An aspect of her that I was not aware of. This inspired me to explore a side to her that I’ve never seen. The picture is about the covert, the hidden nature within all of us.”

— Lucille Fernandes-Stangl, Artist Statement

In contemporary recovery art, portraiture provides a mirror to the aspects of self that often remain unseen or unexpressed. The Lost Child (2023) speaks directly to somatic processing and emotional reconciliation, making it an extraordinary visual centerpiece for fine art collectors, gallery curation, and private spaces dedicated to meaningful contemporary artwork.

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Artistic Technique, Color Palette & Medium

Created in studio using professional-grade Winsor & Newton oil colours and mixed collage on canvas, The Lost Child (2023) showcases Lucille Fernandes-Stangl’s signature tactile approach to portraiture. The work balances heavy-body paint application with delicate color shifts that bring warmth and movement to the subject’s features.

The color palette is characterized by soft, organic tones:

• Warm Ochres & Earth Tones: Muted yellows, soft peaches, and sandy earth hues build the facial structure, giving the portrait a gentle, glowing luminosity.
• Deep Rose & Crimson Accents: Rich red tones in the tied scarf accent create a grounded focal point across the lower composition.
• Subtle Greens & Neutral Backgrounds: Soft atmospheric greens woven through the background add spatial depth and psychological mood.

All materials and pigments used conform to strict lightfast and archival standards, preserving the artwork’s integrity and vibrant color depth for generations.

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The Narrative: Portraiture, Family Legacy & Recovery Art

As Lucille Fernandes-Stangl notes in her studio philosophy, portraiture offers a unique opportunity to mirror aspects of a subject that stand in contrast to their everyday identity. By uncovering hidden family narratives and rendering them into tangible oil paint, this studio original opens a profound dialogue between the painting and the viewer.

By blending expressive figurative technique with subtle collage textures, this work transforms emotional vulnerability into a tangible, highly collectible piece of fine art.

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Artwork Specifications & Fine Art Provenance

This original canvas is an authentic studio work from Johannesburg, South Africa, and includes complete provenance records[cite: 1].

Artwork Details:

• Artwork Title: The Lost Child (2023)
• Artist: Lucille Fernandes-Stangl
• Year of Creation: 2023
• Medium: Archival Oil Paint and Collage on Canvas
• Dimensions: 800mm W x 1200mm H (80cm x 120cm)
• Provenance: Direct from the artist’s studio (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• Shipping: Fully insured, professional global packaging and worldwide delivery
• Certificate of Authenticity: Accompanied by an official, hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity. Preservation follows standard international art conservation guidelines.

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Care & Display Guidelines

To ensure long-term preservation, hang the artwork indoors away from direct, unshielded sunlight and excessive humidity. Clean gently using a dry, soft microfiber cloth or fine camel-hair brush to maintain the impasto peaks without altering the surface texture.