Richard Merkin (1938-2009) enjoyed much acclaim as a painter, illustrator, writer, and educator. Merkin's works reside in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institute, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum among others. He was a regular contributor to the New Yorker, Harper's, GQ, The New York Sunday Times Magazine and contributing editor to Vanity Fair. He also has the distinction of being one of the personalities featured on the classic cover to The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album. This large and impressive 3 feet by 6 feet oil on canvas painting by Merkin features characters from Lewis Carroll's classic Alice In Wonderland stories. Alice is seen at the left, looking forlorn and holding a piglet as the grinning Cheshire Cat looks over her shoulder. Both the White Rabbit and Mad Hatter appear at the right of the painting. The center of the painting is dominated by a man in a red uniform, whose identity is unknown to us. The painting also contains a pair of tables (frequently seen in Merkin's art) as well as a cross and a building of sorts in the distant bkg. Painted c. 2004-2005. The art is not signed, but comes w/a typed and notarized letter on Merkin's personal letterhead from his widow attesting to his creation of this work. Condition is Exc. and the images are visually fascinating. Very conservative opening compared to prices for his work in galleries.