Steven J. Levin — Paintings Photographed by Mitch Rossow
Fine Art Classical Realist Painter · ARC Living Master™ · Stillwater, Minnesota
Steven J. Levin is a contemporary American artist trained in the traditional atelier methods of 19th century Paris. He is associated with the Classical Realists, who trace their artistic lineage back to the Boston School painters working at the turn of the century — though Levin has taken his own direction, with Vermeer and Edward Hopper as his strongest stated influences rather than the Boston School’s more direct heirs.
He trained for five years at the Atelier LeSueur in Excelsior, Minnesota, then stayed on as an instructor for seven more years while building his own portfolio. He completed his formation with an extended stay at London’s National Gallery, copying works in the time-honored tradition of the classically trained painter. His subjects span still life, interior scenes, figures, and portraits — but his signature series have made him particularly recognizable: the surrealist-inflected “Plumage” paintings (where hats and bird’s nests rhyme in shape and feather), the “Books and Butterflies” works, and the museum interiors where paintings appear within paintings with what he calls “an implied wink.”
“Steven Levin is unquestionably one of the finest mid-career artists working in the realism genre in the United States today. Hard working, always expanding his range, Levin stands out amongst his peers. His name is deeply etched into the rolls of 21st century American realists.” — John Pence, Founder, John Pence Gallery of San Francisco
Levin has exhibited in San Francisco, New York, London, Beijing, and Barcelona, and has been featured on the cover of American Artist Magazine. His awards include First Place and Third Place in Still Life from the Art Renewal Center, First Prize at the Salmagundi Club, and prizes from the American Society of Portrait Artists, the Allied Artists of America, the Oil Painters of America, and the American Artists Professional League. He is represented by Grenning Gallery in Sag Harbor, NY, Tree’s Place Gallery on Cape Cod, and Flanders Art Gallery in Minneapolis.
Steven J. Levin Testimonial
“Mitch, just wanted to let you know that I had that same large hats painting photographed by another photographer that you had done for me because I wanted to compare the results.
Yours is by far the better one.
The old method I had been relying on of going from transparency first and then to a scan is really pretty inferior now that I see them side by side.
Wish I’d had you photographing my works these past many years. Oh well, live and learn. Thanks!”
— Steven J. Levin
Steve has been bringing work to this studio for over ten years and more than 100 paintings. That comparison to transparency and scanning is what started it — and the results have spoken for themselves ever since. Schedule your own session →
