Artworks by ben steele

doubting thomas

Oil on Canvas
42.5 x 57 inches
Not For Sale

Ben Steele painted “Doubting Thomas” in 2007; a time when Thomas Kinkade’s “signature galleries” dominated the US mall scene and blurred the line between original art and the growing quality of the art printing process.

Some novice collectors of Kinkade’s work failed to understand the difference between an original painting and his ‘master highlighted’ prints, only to later realize that their special edition work was actually produced in a factory-like setting by studio assistants with little to no input from kinkade.

Never one to miss a chance to poke fun at the oddities of the art world (especially those promoted as investments at the local mall), Steele juxtaposed the timeless Caravaggio religious painting “The Incredulity of Saint Thomas” with a classic Thomas Kinkade cottage scene. much like Saint Thomas doubted the authenticity of Christ’s wounds and resurrection, these modern-day prophets doubt the authenticity of Kinkade’s work and originality.

For extra effect, Steele’s original painting was reprinted as an edition of five, large scale prints which he then master highlighted and sold, keeping the original for his personal collection.

Even though the original five prints are gone, though, you can now own one of a 1,000,000 much smaller and way less valuable prints.

The 1 of a million edition; get yours today!!!!!