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Point Blank

Musicians and bridges are the two subjects of 'Point Blank', eight hand-signed Bob Dylan giclées released by Castle Fine Art on 9 May 2025, each in an edition of 295. The four portraits and four bridge scenes were sold individually, as a set of four of either group or as a set of all eight.

All Point Blank Works By Bob Dylan (10)

Significance & Analysis

'Point Blank' brings Dylan back to the method behind 'The Drawn Blank Series': draw first, then return to the drawing with paint.

Quick studies, painted later

The source drawings are pencil "quick studies" made in 2021 and 2022. Dylan has described drawing as a way to "relax and refocus a restless mind" amid busy touring schedules. He later painted over the sketches in acrylic with loose, expressive brushwork, and has said the idea was to create "living, breathing entities that have emotional resonance, colours used as weapons and mood setters". The approach echoes the graphite drawings he made on the road between 1989 and 1992, which became 'The Drawn Blank Series' once he reworked them in colour.

The finished paintings were first shown at Halcyon Gallery in London from 9 May 2025, in a solo exhibition of 97 new works on paper. Their subjects range from musicians and couples to athletes, objects, rooms and places. Dylan described the aim: "The idea was not only to observe the human condition, but to throw myself into it with great urgency."

Eight images chosen for print

The editions narrow that range to two groups. 'Concert Pianist', 'Jazz Guitar Player', 'Piano Player' and 'Young Man With A Horn' are introspective portraits of musicians: the saxophonist in 'Young Man With A Horn' looks down at his instrument rather than out at an audience, and 'Piano Player' sets the pianist among friends in a room. 'Little Bridge', 'Stockholm', 'Stone Bridge' and 'Under The Bridge' turn to bridges and water. The series was presented as studies of subjects Dylan had encountered or imagined, without saying which is which, so the narrative behind each scene is left to the viewer.

As giclées, the prints reproduce the colour and brushwork of the paintings on a flat sheet.

What Size and Edition Are the Point Blank Prints?

Each print is a giclée in pigment inks on archival paper, in an edition of 295, and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Framed, every print measures 68.6 x 83.8 cm. Unframed, the prints in the portfolio sets measure 55.9 x 71.1 cm each.

Which Prints Are in Each Point Blank Set?

The set of four portraits holds 'Concert Pianist', 'Jazz Guitar Player', 'Piano Player' and 'Young Man With A Horn'. The set of four landscapes holds 'Little Bridge', 'Stockholm', 'Stone Bridge' and 'Under The Bridge'. Each set of four was offered framed or as an unframed portfolio, while the set of eight brings both groups together, framed. Like the single prints, all three sets are editions of 295.

Where Are the Bridges in Point Blank?

Two of the four can be placed. 'Under The Bridge' is painted from the viewpoint of someone standing on one of the bridges over the Seine in Paris, and 'Stockholm' is inspired by the Swedish capital and its waterways. The titles of 'Little Bridge' and 'Stone Bridge' do not name a specific place.

Is the Point Blank (Quick Studies) Book the Same Work as the Prints?

No. The book, published in November 2025, reproduces nearly 100 of the pencil drawings behind the series in black and white, with short prose pieces by other writers alongside. The prints are colour giclées of the finished paintings, made after Dylan returned to those drawings with paint, so the book shows the series at its first stage.