Peter De Francia

Three Quarrymen

About this artwork

The limestone quarries near the artist’s home in the village of Lacoste in the South of France provided the subject matter for this large painting. It depicts three quarrymen resting - one is relaxing, with his arms behind his head, while the other two men appear to be eating. The monumental and powerful forms of the men have a physical presence, painted with strong, block-like brushstrokes. The theme of the painting shows the influence of Fernand Léger, whom De Francia knew personally and has written extensively about, as well as the Italian artist Renato Guttuso. De Francia had shared a studio with Guttuso in the early 1950s. Both Guttuso and Léger painted subjects of social realism, such as workers and peasants.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
    Peter De Francia (1921 - 2012) British
  • title:
    Three Quarrymen
  • date created:
    About 1968
  • materials:
    Oil on linen
  • measurements:
    212.00 x 152.00 cm; Framed: 217.70 x 156.50 x 4.90 / 16.00 kg
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Presented by the artist 2004
  • accession number:
    GMA 4746
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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Peter De Francia

Peter De Francia