Abstract 40's Oil Painting, Lunar Rhythms, by A.R. Abrams

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Abstract 40's Oil Painting, Lunar Rhythms, by A.R. Abrams

About the Item

Born in Philadelphia on February 21, 1909, Arthur Abrams began drawing as a child of five, and continued producing art until just before his death in 1981, in Sarasota, Florida. Abrams began studies at the Graphic Sketch Club of Philadelphia, later teaching and exhibiting there. 1924 brought a scholarship to the Philadelphia College of Art, but his lack of interest in commercial art had him move to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. This is one of several dozen works of art by Art Deco and Modernist-era (mostly) French artists on my Decorum website, at this address: http://www.decorumsanfran.com/decweb/ptgsevpg1.html In 1927 he went to Paris, studying where he could, including l'Academie Julian, l'Academie Colarossi, and l'Ecole de la Grande Chaumiere. Then he found Andre L'Hote, who experimented with presenting space without perspective; Abrams felt he had found what he had been looking for. Later he studied with Hans Hoffman at his School of Fine Arts, Munich, where he became further convinced that art did not have to consist of a photo-like quality, but could be conceptual, the personal expression of the artist. He toured around with other artists into Italy and Spain, meeting the artists of the day and painting. While painting around Le Sacre Coeur a man "slightly under the weather" asked if he was American. He replied that he was, and asked if he and the man had met at the Picabia exhibition; the man said they had, and his name was Maurice Utrillo. He told Arthur that if he remained in France he would become a great painter, but if he went back to America he would become a businessman. He did return to America at the end of 1929 because his scholarship money was about gone. He had a one-man show in McClees Gallery, in Philadelphia, putting the proceeds of the sale in the Bankers Trust Company, which he lost when the company failed. He then traveled between Philadelphia and New York. In 1931, he traveled to Elmira to visit Sally Frank, whom he had met in Philadelphia. He painted and sketched around that New York area. While Abrams was sketching on the Louis Hoftrup farm near Elmira, Hoftrup came up to him and said he had a brother,s Lars, who was an artist living in New York. He said Arthur should look him up when back in New York City. In September of 1931 Abrams's first New York one-man show was held at the Fifteen Gallery on West 57th Street. This was a gallery owned by artists to by-pass restrictive dealers and high commissions. Unfortunately a number of his paintings were kept in a studio in the Lincoln Arcade Building when it burned down. Still mainly in New York he became a charter member of the American Art Congress, and later of Artists' Equity. In the summer he went to Elmira where he, Lars Hoftrup and Armand Wargny began to turn a barn and farm into the Rustic Studio, a place for artists to paint during the summer months. In a year or two the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery opened their doors to the Elmira artists. He married Sally in October of 1931, and began designing store fronts for his father-in-law, who was a glass maker. He also created sculpture and portraits during the 30's. Abrams then opened the Art Shop, in Elmira, and lectured at Hobart, Syracuse, Cornell, the Ithaca Art Association, Elmira College, often holding classes and exhibiting his works at these places, in conjunction with his teaching and lecturing. During W.W.II he closed his shop and joined the Army Camouflage "Phantom Troops", was in the Normandy landing, the Ardemes, the invasion of Germany at Remagin. He accomplished liaison work with the French and later with Displaced Persons. At the end of the war he re-opened the Art Shop in Elmira, added restoration work and became an accredited appraiser. He made business trips to European markets, buying art for his growing list of patrons. In 1950 he was elected as president of the Elmira Art Club. In 1966 he sold the Art Shop and moved with Sally to Philadelphia, to rid himself of business and concentrate on his art. A long time friend from the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts convinced him to move to Taos, New Mexico where there was a solid art colony and Sally's arthritic condition would be alleviated. In 1969 they made the move. He studied the different types of landscape there, and then began to paint in a new style; abstract impressions of the mountains and deserts followed. He quickly found success. The jury of the Taos Art Associations Annual Awards Show chose one of his works in 1970, which was shown later in local newspapers with his biography. Soon he was having one-man shows. He was one of four New Mexican artists to be represented in a 1972-73 traveling exhibition. The exhibition traveled to about twenty museums and universities. However the cold winters were hard on Sally's arthritic condition. He considered where to move, including Mexico, but his son said the West Coast of Florida was beautiful with no cold weather to worry about. Arthur and Sally drove there for a vacation, and while in Sarasota they saw a house they liked. Arthur took the sign from in front of the house, drove to the realtor's, and bought it on the spot. 1973 was difficult as he had no more mountains and dramatic landscapes. But as he studied the flat areas along the beaches under various light conditions, he painted his abstract feelings of the area, and soon became a popular "new local artist." He exhibited in area galleries and sold works from his home studio until cancer, which he had battled for many years ended his life on August 28, 1981. In keeping with his independent character, when he asked the doctors if there was anything else they could do for him and was told there wasn't, he checked out of the hospital to spend his final days at home with his wife and his art. If you’re interested in purchasing this item, you will receive the best price possible and flawless and immediate communications and service, including very economical packing and shipping, from me, Jack, the owner. I encourage you to click on "Contact Dealer," on the right-hand side of this page below the Decorum – Art Deco Moderne logo, to start the conversation with me, directly; or, just pick up the phone and call me at 415 518 2123.

Creator:
Arthur Rossram Abrams (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Width: 47.5 in (120.65 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Canvas
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1940-1949
Date of Manufacture:
Ca. 1950
Condition:
Seller Location:
San Francisco, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU9111748211