“Roses Are Dead” by Magnus Gjoen explores the tension between beauty and decay, blending classical aesthetics with a contemporary edge. Gjoen contrasts the delicacy of roses with the stark presence of a skull, creating a haunting yet elegant meditation on life’s transience.
The deep, velvety hues of the flowers set against a shadowed background evoke the chiaroscuro of Dutch still-life painting, while retaining a distinctly modern sensibility. Every petal is rendered with meticulous precision, a hallmark of Gjoen’s fusion of traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation.
As with much of his work, “Roses Are Dead” acts as a modern memento mori, inviting reflection on mortality and the fragile nature of beauty. It is an evocative and compelling piece that lingers in the mind long after viewing.
| Medium: | |
| Format: | Digital Canvas/Screen |
| Size (Unframed): | 70 x 70 cm |
| Size (Framed): | 84 x 84 cm |
| Signed: | Yes |
| Limited Edition: | Edition 20 of 50 |
Magnus Gjoen is a London-based artist known for subverting classical imagery with a contemporary edge. With a background in design and fashion—having worked for brands such as Vivienne Westwood—Gjoen brings a refined graphic sensibility to his fine art practice. His work often explores the fragility of life, beauty, and destruction, juxtaposing dark themes with delicate aesthetics.
Blending Renaissance and Baroque influences with modern pop culture, Gjoen reimagines icons of art history, architecture, and weaponry to question notions of power, faith, and consumerism. His use of bold digital techniques alongside traditional motifs creates a striking tension between the old and the new, the beautiful and the macabre.
Gjoen’s work has gained international recognition, with exhibitions across Europe, the United States, and Asia. His pieces are held in private collections worldwide, appealing to both established collectors and younger audiences drawn to his distinctive fusion of art historical reference and contemporary critique.
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