Diogenes is a compelling oil portrait that reimagines the legendary Greek philosopher through the lens of classical beauty and symbolic expression. The contemplative figure, crowned with blooming roses and illuminated by a crimson circular halo, gazes upward in quiet reflection, embodying both intellectual pursuit and human vulnerability. Rich chiaroscuro and masterful anatomical modeling evoke the traditions of Renaissance painting, while the delicate floral crown softens the figure's strength, suggesting the coexistence of wisdom, humility, and the fleeting nature of earthly life. The result is a timeless meditation on philosophy, virtue, and the enduring search for truth.
Richard Gibbons
Diogenes
oil on panel
16h x 12w in
40.64h x 30.48w cm
RAG118
Richard Gibbons
b. 1950, Toledo, OH
Richard Gibbons (born 1950, Toledo, Ohio) is an American architect and painter whose creative career bridges architectural design and fine art. He is best known for founding the Chicago-based design firm Gibbons, Fortman & Associates and for his richly expressive figurative and abstract paintings exhibited internationally.
Early Life & Education
Richard Gibbons was born in Toledo, Ohio in 1950. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Notre Dame. During his university years he received an Archaeological Study Grant to the American Academy in Rome, where he pursued architectural and classical studies.
After returning to the United States and establishing his architectural practice, Gibbons also studied painting, taking night classes at the Art Institute of Chicago that focused on Renaissance painting techniques — a formative experience that deepened his commitment to fine art.
Architectural Career
Gibbons is the founder and principal design architect of Gibbons, Fortman & Associates, a firm that has worked on projects in major U.S. cities including Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and Johannesburg. His architectural work reflects a custom, detail-oriented approach to design, blending classical sensibilities with contemporary needs.
Artistic Practice
Alongside architecture, Gibbons developed a significant painting career. His work spans abstract, figurative, and narrative styles, with a particular attention to the human body and classical motifs. His practice often synthesizes classical influence with contemporary themes, producing theatrical, dynamic compositions that reflect both his architectural training and his experience with humanist subjects.
Gibbons’s paintings have been shown widely, including in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Berlin, and have been featured in solo exhibitions as well as group shows. Notable series include the ICONS exhibition, which presented figure paintings, landscapes, cityscapes, and architectural models.
Exhibitions & Recognition
Over the years, Gibbons’s work has appeared in numerous exhibitions:
The Figure in American Art, Eleanor Ettinger Gallery, New York
Heads + Bodies, Roy Boyd Gallery, Chicago
Paintings, DNFA Gallery, Pasadena, CA
Galerie Beckel Odille Boicos, Paris
Gallery VICTOR exhibitions in Chicago, Palm Springs and Art Center Highland Park, IL
His works have also appeared at auction and are part of private collections.
Style & Themes
Gibbons’s painting integrates a classically informed figurative approach with contemporary sensibilities. His work often depicts the human figure with a sculptural, expressive intensity, while his architectural experiences inform his cityscape and structural compositions. His thematic interests range from mythological and religious imagery to explorations of form and narrative in modern contexts.
Current Work
Gibbons continues to live and work in Chicago, Illinois, where he remains active in both architectural design and painting. His recent series explores modern saints and ancient myths, underscoring his ongoing engagement with symbolic and humanistic subject matter.
1972–1973 American Academy in Rome Archaeological Study Grant
1973 B.S. in Architecture, University of Notre Dame
Exhibitions
2024 Evoke Provoke – Persons of Interest, Gallery Victor, Chicago, IL
2023 Intersect Palm Spring, Gallery Victor, Palm Springs, CA
2021 Wet Paint, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago
2019 Wrap It Up, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
2018 "Wrap It Up", Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
2017 "Wrap It Up", Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
2004 "The Figure in American Art," Eleanor Ettinger Gallery, NY (One Person)
2003 "Heads+Bodies," Roy Boyd Gallery, Chicago (One Person)
2002 "Paintings," DNFA Gallery, Pasadena, CA
2002 "NUS," Galerie Beckel Odille Boicos, Paris, France
2001 Roy Boyd Gallery (One Person)
2000 "Bodyscapes," Roy Boyd Gallery (One Person)
1998 "Around The Coyote," (One Person)
1994 "Chicago Villa Exhibition," The Chicago Athenaeum
1993 "New Chicago Furniture," The Chicago Athenaeum
1992 "Real Furniture/Fake Furniture," The Chicago Athenaeum
1987 "The Chicago Crafts Movement," M&M Club, Topeka Kansas and Merchandise Mart, Chicago
1987 "Compact/Portable Design: New Interior Objects by 16 East Coast Artists," Gallery 91, NY
1986 "Art - Research," Skokie Public Library, Skokie, IL
1986 "Architectural Images in Art," Fay Gold Gallery, Atlanta, GA
1985 "Form/Function," Chicago Artists and Architects/Contemporary Structures, Columbia College Art Gallery, Chicago
1984 "Eroded Furniture," Roy Boyd Gallery, Chicago (One Person)