Joel Coplin is an American painter known for large-scale, richly populated compositions that draw upon art history while presenting contemporary cultural narratives. His paintings often reference the compositions and themes of European Old Masters and 19th-century academic painting, incorporating these historical influences as a foundation rather than as the primary subject of his work.

Coplin's paintings bring together diverse groups of figures and recognizable social "types," creating complex scenes in which the characters appear to act out ambiguous or theatrical dramas within the picture plane. His compositions invite viewers to explore the relationships among the figures while considering the cultural and historical references e...