Tony Scherman (b. 1950) is one of the most collected and cherished Canadian artists. He is renowned internationally for his work, typically executed in encaustic (one of the most difficult mediums to work in).

Scherman's moody palette and sumptuous portraits (whether contemporary, historical or allegorical) reference a range of masters, including Goya and Manet, yet his works are visceral and contemporary. Scherman's allusions to both history, and the history of visual art, are constants in his oeuvre.

Throughout his career, Scherman has created a striking body of work that often portrays the female form; including characters from history or 20th-century literature. Within this theme, Scherman often crops images, either focusing on a close-up of the figure or only depicting one or two features, such as in this case, the woman’s lips. 

Depicted here is Jocasta - Oedipus' mother, a recurring character in Scherman’s work that he has continued to revisit throughout his career. 

Contrary to Scherman’s signature palette, this work features velvety shades of deep teal and midnight blue that are intensified with long, smooth strokes of powder blue and cream. The oceanic color scheme is complemented by the oil paper background, a distinct break from Scherman’s characteristically dark backgrounds, which are evocative of chiaroscuro. 

Scherman’s work can be found in nearly every public collection in Canada, as well as many international museums including LACMA (Los Angeles) and Centre Pompidou (Paris)