Reclining Swimmer

Oil painting on paper mounted on board, 50.5 × 32.5 cm.
by Pantelis Melissinos
Manhattan 1986

The “Reclining Swimmer” showcases Melissinos’ skill with oil paints, presenting a serene yet expressive nude figure amidst an abstract coastal landscape. The figure’s posture, combined with bold blues, greens, purples, and yellows, creates a dreamlike atmosphere that blends tranquility with subtle unease. Textured brushstrokes add physicality to the swimmer’s body, while the abstracted background evokes themes of solitude and introspection. This piece captures Melissinos’ ability to merge surrealism and serenity, inviting reflection on the boundaries between reality and imagination.