Employing a similar style and a variety of techniques, Fisher
designed a series of 8-cent postage stamps in celebration of the
1976
American Bicentennial, which were commissioned in
1974.
In his images, Fisher honored
glass blowing, wig making, hat
making, and silversmithing, among
the oldest American trades. His other
postage stamps include the
Skilled
Hands for Independence
and the
American Folklore
series.
Fisher’s paintings may ultimately
define his place in contemporary
American art. Using the ancient
technique of egg tempera, Fisher creates deliberate, radiant
canvases with a powerful resonance of Renaissance imagery.
Egg tempera is a mixture of egg yolk and pigment and was
the primary medium of painting through the 15th century.
The exquisite surface of the paintings is achieved by the
time-consuming layering of this thin paint.
Fisher’s series of Jewish
biblical prophets is majes-
tic, vibrant, and highly
energized, presenting an
idealization of masculine
perfection. Calling to
mind the Mannerist
muscular style of
Michelangelo paintings,
Fisher depicts Jewish bibli-
cal prophets and leaders as
athletic, vital beings and,
in most instances, has
provided a visual symbol
to identify each of them.
In
Daniel and Jeremiah
(
page 5), Daniel is over-
painted with the letters
standing in for
Mene,
Mene, Tekel, Upharsin,
God’s hand writing on the
wall, a portent of doom, while Jeremiah bears the handprint
of God.
Moses
(
page 10) holds the Tablets of the Covenant
while descending from Mount Sinai. In
Isaiah and Ezekiel
(
page 4)
,
Ezekiel is symbolized by a chariot wheel and Isaiah
with a fleur-de-lis, a symbol of the coming of the Messiah.
Job
bears the inscription of
yud, yud
,
God’s unspoken name.
Fisher’s scenic paintings convey the same awe and majesty
as do his spiritual and political work. In these, we note his
signature effect of objects levitating in air. Repeated visual
themes and variations are as much a hallmark of Fisher’s
work as are his distinctive techniques. From the earliest
examples of his teenage paintings and sketches Fisher revisits
images of rock jetties, stone walls, stone mountain forma-
tions, bodies of water and waves, and objects suspended in
air…everything from scarves and balloons, to seaweed, paper
airplanes, baseballs, juggling apparatus, and canopies billow-
ing in the wind.
Lest these images conjure up visions of frivolity, Fisher’s
choice of subject matter is most serious. His depictions of
biblical Jewish prophets, significant world events, turning
points of history, mythological gods, and heroes are a testa-
ment to his profound sense of permanence.
Laura Kruger
Curator
| 2
Job
, 1964;
gelatin tempera/board, 56" x 30";
Collection of John Tucker
Colonial American Craftsmen,
July 4, 1976, United States Postage
Stamps, 8 cents
Noah
, 1964;
acrylic, gesso/masonite, 48” x 48";
Collection of Bellarmine Museum of Art,
Fairfield University, CT