You really have to see this painting in person, or at least see it in larger format in a book, to fully appreciate it. When you see the detail of the art books scattered on the floor (can you spot the Vermeer pearl earring picture?) it is easy to understand why it took Desiderio ten years to complete this large canvas.
Cockaigne, 1993-2003
Vincent Desiderio (American, b. 1955)
Copyright: Smithsonian Institution. Photo by Lee Stalsworth.
hogglestock 
Oh my god, this is a painting? I have to get out and see this. Have not been over to the Hirshhorn in ages. Intrigued now.
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I would have sworn it was a photo. Amazing!!
Lezlie
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Frances: I am not sure they have it on display at the moment. Which, now that I think about it, is a bit of a travesty. Maybe it is traveling.
Lezlie: It is amazing. His other work is also amazing, but some can be a little disturbing.
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What must it be like to live the everyday bits of his life with something like that using his energy and focus for ten years? Extraordinary.
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Wow and the colours of the table are just incredible as well.
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This is amazing on a computer screen. I can't even imagine how awesome it would be to see it in person.
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This is fabulous! I wish I could see the real thing.
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How stunning and entertaining! I couldn't believe it was a painting at first either.
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Lucille: There is a picture of his studio with this one still on the wall in progress, with several other works in progress as well.
Jodie: The whole thing is really amazing isn't it.
Book Psmith: It is one of those you can look at for long stretches and not get bored.
Literary Stew: I would like to see it again myself. But I don't think they have it out at the moment.
Darlene: The fact that all of those open books are art books with famous paintings in them makes it even more wonderful.
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