Items Similar to WPA Still Life with NYC Street Scene Aaron Berkman Circa 1950-60.
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Aaron BerkmanWPA Still Life with NYC Street Scene Aaron Berkman Circa 1950-60.
About the Item
Signed lower left. Oil on canvas in what might be the original frame. Wonderful still life at a table with NYC street scene shown below. RFeally bright colors.
The following is with the permission of the author, Jeanette Hendler, and the article was published in Fine Arts Trader, April 1996:
AARON BERKMAN (1900-1991)
"THE WPA MASTER TEACHER AND ARTIST"
by Jeanette Hendler
Aaron Berkman was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1900, the youngest of four children. His parents had settled there around 1885. He demonstrated early talent and encouraged by his parents, from 1916-18, he attended the Connecticut League of Art Students, founded by Charles Noel Flagg, Connecticut's official portrait painter. From 1919-21 he was a student of Albertus E. Jones at the Hartford Art School. Berkman stated that he was influenced during this time by George Inness and John Singer Sargent and the Old Masters.
He received a Scholarship to the Museum Art School of Boston from 1921-24 and then traveled to Europe, remaining there from 1924 through 1925. He spent time in France, Italy, Spain, Holland and Belgium.
During the years of 1926-28, Berkman had one man shows at the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford; Babcock Galleries, New York; and Grace Home Galleries, Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1929, during the Depression, he moved to New York City, continuing a friendship and painting relationship with Milton Avery. Marrying Victoria Artese in 1931, he was appointed by the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration) to a Directorship position at the WPA Art Center of the 92nd Street Y in New York City, at a Directors salary of $23.50 per week. He was in charge of a Seventeen (17) member WPA Artist Faculty. The school gave free tuition and had several hundred students. During this period, with Herman Baron ad Director, Berkman established the A.C.A. Gallery in New York City at 52 West 8th St., the first Artist Cooperative Gallery in New York City.
Summers were spent from 1939-1945 on Monhegan Island, Maine, in addition to summers on Cape Ann, Massachusetts, the Connecticut Shore,Vermont and the Adirondacks where many of his available works were painted. During this same period, Berkman also wrote a regular column "ARTICUS COMMENTS" for ART FRONT with Herman Baron, as the Editor.
When the United States Government terminated the WPA at the 92nd Street Y, it then became the Y Art Center, with Berkman remaining as the Director. In addition to being the Director, Berkman also taught classes there on Art and lectured on Art History.
Berkman, during this period, had one-Man Exhibitions at Stovola Gallery in Hartford, Connecticut in 1933, Erick Newhouse Galleries, New York City in 1935 and A.C.A. Galleries, New York City in 1932 and 1934 in addition to many group shows.
Among the writings produced by Berkman was as a regular contribution to the American Mercury (Debate with Jacob Burke "Art as Propaganda-1932) and in the American Spectator "Sociology of the Comic Strip" 1934.
Remaining the Director of the Y Art Center in New York City until his mandatory retirement at age 65 in 1965, he had additional One-Man Exhibitions at Associated American Artists, NYC, in 1945; Erick Newhouse Galleries, NYC, 1952; Babcock Galleries, NYC, 1954; Kaufman Art Gallery, NYC, in 1945, 1952, 1962 and 1966.
The Group Exhibitions included the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New York; The Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, A.C.A. Gallery, New York; John Myers Gallery 21, New York; Norlyst Gallery, New York; Morgan Memorial, Hartford, Connecticut; The Riverdale Museum; the American Watercolor Society, New York; Roerich Museum, New York; The New School, New York; Bronx, New York Museum of the Arts; the W.P.A. Artists 50th Anniversary Exhibition; Audubon Artists, NYC; The New York WPA Artists Exhibition at Passaic County College, Passaic, New Jersey; and the Borough Presidents Gallery, New York City.
Berkman also received a Fellowship to Yaddo in 1956 and another Fellowship to the Huntington Hartford Foundation in Pacific Palisades, California in 1958. His Memberships included Director-at-Large of Artists Equity and National Board Member and International Cultural Relations Committee Member (1958-1962) and Audubon Artists Member.
He wrote two books. Art and Space was published in 1948 by Social Sciences Publishers and The Functional Line was published in 1952 by Thomas Yoseloff Publishers. During the years 1955 - 60, he was a columnist for ARTnews, writing a column entitled, "Amateur Standing". Berkman was also on the Advisory Committee with Steve Wheeler at "THE FOUR O'CLOCK FORUMS LECTURE SERIES" 1953-55.
Amongst his many listings, Berkman is listed in WHO'S WHO IN AMERICAN ART, FRICK LIBRARY INDEX OF AMERICAN ART, WORLD BIOGRAPHY, WHO'S WHO IN WORLD JEWRY,
When Berkman retired from the position at the Y Art Center, he established Bercone Gallery, New York City. There, he continued to paint, teach and exhibit. His work appears in many corporate, private and museum collections.
Written and submitted by Jeanette Hendler, Art Dealer, New York City
- Creator:Aaron Berkman (1900 - 1991, American)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:No issues.
- Gallery Location:Hallowell, ME
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU128926324802
Aaron Berkman
Aaron Berkman was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1900. In 1916 Berkman attended the Connecticut League of Art Students, founded by Charles Noel Flagg. Beginning in 1919 he studied under Albertus E. Jones at the Hartford Art School. Berkman was influenced during this time by George Inness and John Singer Sargent and the Old Masters. He received a scholarship to the Museum Art School of Boston in 1921 and then traveled to Europe, remaining there from 1924 through 1925. He spent time in France, Italy, Spain, Holland and Belgium. In 1929 Berkman moved to New York City, continuing a friendship and painting relationship with Milton Avery. He was appointed by the W.P.A. as Director of the WPA Art Center at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Berkman helped established the A.C.A. Gallery in New York City at 52 West 8th St., the first Artist Cooperative Gallery in New York City. He spent summers on Monhegan Island in Maine, Cape Ann in Massachusetts, the Connecticut Shore, Vermont and the Adirondacks. When the WPA ended, the 92nd Street Y became the Y Art Center, with Berkman remaining as the Director. He also taught art classes and lectured on art history. Berkman had many one-man exhibitions and group shows. He wrote two books. Art and Space and The Functional Line and was a columnist for ARTnews. When Berkman retired from the position at the Y Art Center, he established Bercone Gallery, New York City where he continued to paint, teach and exhibit. His work appears in many corporate, private and museum collections.
About the Seller
4.7
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1913
1stDibs seller since 2019
157 sales on 1stDibs
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Hallowell, ME
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- C. Griffin, American 20th C Floral Bouquet Still Life in a Vase, 20th C.Located in Hallowell, MESigned lower left and verso--C Griffin. American there are a couple of possibilities. A very finished still life.Category
1940s American Impressionist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil
- American School Table Top Still Life, signed Lerner, dated 1951Located in Hallowell, MEOil on canvas, 14" x 16"--signed Lerner and I have not cleaned this painting. Right out of the house sold as is for this price. Three possibilities of identity of the artist yet to...Category
1950s American Impressionist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil
- American School Table Top Still Life of Fruit, circa 1875-90Located in Hallowell, MEAmericana still life of table taop still life with fruit. Somewhat folky but lovely. Oil on canvas, 19th c frame possibly original and found in New England.Category
1870s Folk Art Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil
- Oil Portrait of a Yeshiva Student, Dated 1903 by Saul Bernstein AmericanBy Saul BernsteinLocated in Hallowell, MEIn the frame: approx 17" x 12: inscribed and dated 1903. Oil on paper.Category
Early 1900s Abstract Impressionist Portrait Paintings
MaterialsOil
- Henry Kallem, American Abstract landscape, American 1912-1985By Henry KallemLocated in Hallowell, ME19.5" X 25.5" WIDE Bearing estate stamp and signed verso. A printmaker and painter in abstract style who used wide brushmarks, Henry Kallem was born in Philadelphia. His father was Morris Kallem, a portrait painter, with whom he studied, and his brother was sculptor Herbert Kallem...Category
1920s Abstract Impressionist Abstract Paintings
MaterialsOil
- Albert Pels, American 1910-1998 Social realist figural Portrait Oil on CanvasBy Albert PelsLocated in Hallowell, MEOil on canvas, signed lower right. Albert Pels was an art educator and painter of figures, genre scenes, urban and rural images, and illustration. He also did murals and worked in ...Category
1980s Abstract Impressionist Figurative Paintings
MaterialsOil
You May Also Like
- The Sound of the ShellBy Paul ResikaLocated in Provincetown, MAPaul Resika was born in New York City in 1928. He began taking painting lessons at age nine, greatly encouraged by his Russian émigré mother. At twelve years old, he began studying w...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil
- Flowers on OrangeLocated in Provincetown, MACarl Sprinchorn was born in Sweden and moved to New York at sixteen years old. He was a student of Robert Henri at the Art Students League in New York City. A long-time intimate of M...Category
Early 20th Century Abstract Impressionist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil, Board
- When The Night Falls 180 x 190cm Oil PaintingBy Alex LazardLocated in Queretaro, Queretaro180 x 190 cm ceiling to floor large-scale painting by Alex Lazard is an intimate portrait of his workspace and his creativity. "That is how I spend my time all the time," says Lazard...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Abstract Paintings
MaterialsOil
- Primary Colors on Gray Terrazzo, Squared Painting on Watercolor Paper, MinimalBy Natalia RomanLocated in Barcelona, ESThis series of hand painted acrylic paintings by Natalia Roman are inspired by the colors and textures of Italian terrazzo tiling. The patterns created combine a variety of vivid col...Category
2010s Abstract Impressionist Abstract Paintings
MaterialsOil Pastel, Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Gouache
- CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN A GREEN VASE EDWARD BEALE British contemporary artist.By Edward BealeLocated in Pollenca, Illes BalearesEdward Beale 1950,,,2017. British Edward Beale was born in London in 1950, at the age of sixteen he began attending morning drawing classes at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil
- FIVE PEONIES IN VASE EDWARD BEALE Contemporary British ArtistBy Edward BealeLocated in Pollenca, Illes BalearesEDWARD BEALE CV 1968 - 72 Camberwell School of Art 1976 - 79 Royal Academy Schools Awards: David Murray Travelling Prize (twice) Edwin Landseer Prize Selected Exhibitions 2003 Piano ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Still-life Paintings
MaterialsOil
