Fantine Samaha

Encapsulating a defined point in space and time, Samaha’s realistic paintings capture the most minute of details to justly and accurately render the expressions and postural characteristics of her subjects, often human or animal. Black being the ultimate absorbent of light, Fantine considers it her favorite color. Thus, she emphasizes black as a compositional element: sometimes as a background that allows the subject to shine through differently, and sometimes as a part of the core subject, creating a sense of emphasis and directing the viewer’s attention. The color black allows Fantine to explore the universally symbolic theme of light and shadow, their interaction, and their juxtaposition.