Artist: Jim Dine
Title: Atheism VII
Medium: Painting of Acrylic, Watercolor and Charcoal on Paper
Sheet Size: 43" x 37.75"
Edition: Original
Years: 1986
Inscription: Signed, dated, and inscribed "Jim Dine 1986 Paris" on bottom front. Gallery label on reverse from Pace Gallery New York
Documentation: Pace Gallery, New York, original label on verso. Gallery Certificate of Authenticity from Modern Artifact. Also includes a copy of the catalog from Pace Gallery's 1986 exhibition, "Jim Dine: Paintings, Drawings, Sculpture" along with a photo of the artist in his studio with the work.
Full record of unbroken provenance:
- Pace Gallery, New York, New York;
- Baudoin Lebon Gallery, Paris, France;
- Private Collection, Belgium, Christie's London;
- Addison Fine Arts, San Francisco, California;
- Private Collection; Christie's New York;
- Private Collection, Miami Beach, Florida.
Jim Dine's "Atheism VII" (1986) exemplifies the artist's signature use of symbolic imagery to weave personal narratives through recurring motifs. Known for integrating autobiographical elements, Dine often uses everyday objects as metaphors, granting them new significance through repetition and layering. This large-scale painting—measuring over four feet high—commands attention, both in its physical size and thematic complexity.
Rendered with a combination of acrylic, watercolor, and charcoal, the artwork is rich in texture and tonal depth. At the heart of the composition lies a bold red heart, a recurring emblem in Dine's body of work, symbolizing emotion, vulnerability, or love. Surrounding it are a skull, muscular limbs, and seashells—powerful elements that evoke themes of mortality, human experience, and nature's enduring presence. The use of charcoal adds a tactile, raw quality, heightening the sense of immediacy, while the soft washes of watercolor imbue the piece with a dreamlike atmosphere.
"Atheism VII" not only reflects Dine's fascination with personal symbolism but also suggests a deeper meditation on life, death, and existentialism. The juxtaposition of organic forms with anatomical fragments hints at the impermanence of the body, a motif often explored by the artist. The skull, in particular, alludes to the inevitability of death, while the heart and shells offer counterpoints—potential symbols of vitality, regeneration, or memory.
This original work from 1986 embodies Dine's mastery of mixed media, seamlessly blending vibrant acrylics with delicate watercolor washes and expressive charcoal strokes. The artwork's size enhances its impact, inviting the viewer to engage intimately with the layers of meaning embedded within the imagery. As part of Dine's broader oeuvre, "Atheism VII" serves as a testament to his lifelong exploration of personal identity and storytelling through visual symbols.
Jim Dine's "Atheism VII" is inscribed 'Jim Dine 1986 Paris' on the bottom front, and the reverse includes a label from Pace Gallery, New York. A certificate of authenticity from Modern Artifact is included with the purchase alongside a copy of the catalog from Pace Gallery's 1986 exhibition, "Jim Dine: Paintings, Drawings, Sculpture" and a photo of the artist in his studio with the work. "Atheism VII" contains a well-documented, unbroken chain of provenance.
About Jim Dine
Jim Dine is an American artist and poet recognized for his influential role in the development of both Performance Art and Pop Art. His work features recurring motifs such as Pinocchio, hearts, bathrobes, and tools, and spans a variety of media including painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Reflecting on his connection to tools, Dine once remarked, "I grew up with tools. I came from a family of people who sold tools, and I've always been enchanted by these objects made by anonymous hands."
Born on June 16, 1935, in Cincinnati, OH, Dine initially studied poetry at the University of Cincinnati before earning his BFA from Ohio University in 1957. He relocated to New York in 1958, where he became part of a vibrant artistic community that included figures like Allan Kaprow and Claes Oldenburg. Together, they staged early performances—later known as "Happenings"—at various locations throughout the city. By the early 1960s, Dine shifted his focus to painting, integrating popular imagery and everyday objects into his work. Although he exhibited alongside artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol, Dine never identified himself as a member of the Pop Art movement.
Today, Dine divides his time between New York, NY, and Walla Walla, WA. His works are held in major institutions worldwide, including The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Modern in London, the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, among others.
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