Eric Wert (American, b. 1976)

Mola Salsa, 2013

Eric Wert’s still lifes nearly vibrate with saturated color and decadent detail that somehow exceeds the limitations of realism. In Mola Salsa, a stone molcajete seems to exalt its earthly contents to the level of ambrosia—the food of the gods—accompanied by a golden tequila offering. Not surprisingly, Wert began his career as a scientific illustrator. His current approach is, he says, “more poetic than scientific.”

Wert received a bachelor of fine arts degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a master of fine arts degree from Northwestern University. He paints in his Portland, Oregon, studio, and his work has been exhibited around the world. See more of Wert’s paintings in Eric Wert: Still Life (Pomegranate, 2018).

With subjects ranging from fine art, nature, and architecture to humor, the metaphysical, and more, Pomegranate’s interlocking jigsaw puzzles combine stunning images, superb color reproduction, and sturdy construction to delight generations of novice and veteran puzzle solvers alike.