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Charles Ragland Bunnell
WPA 1940s Framed Figurative Village Landscape with Figures, Houses & Mountains

1940

$4,950
$8,25040% Off
£3,779.30
£6,298.8440% Off
€4,366.95
€7,278.2540% Off
CA$6,948.86
CA$11,581.4440% Off
A$7,745.23
A$12,908.7240% Off
CHF 4,063.66
CHF 6,772.7640% Off
MX$94,581.91
MX$157,636.5140% Off
NOK 51,454.74
NOK 85,757.9040% Off
SEK 48,632.55
SEK 81,054.2640% Off
DKK 32,592.46
DKK 54,320.7640% Off

About the Item

This evocative watercolor painting, titled The Way War First Comes (1940), was created by noted American artist Charles Ragland Bunnell (1897-1968) during the Depression era. The piece captures a dramatic outdoor village scene, reflecting Bunnell’s unique ability to intertwine landscape with the broader human experience. The painting is presented in a custom black frame with archival materials to preserve its integrity, with outer dimensions of 26 x 35 ½ x ⅝ inches, and an image size of 15 ¼ x 24 ⅝ inches. Provenance: Private Collection, Colorado About the Artist: Charles Ragland Bunnell, often referred to as “Charlie,” was an American artist whose work spanned multiple styles throughout his career. Known for his versatility, Bunnell believed in constantly evolving his artistic approach, famously stating, “I’ve got to paint a thousand different ways.” His career saw him explore both representational and abstract forms, making him one of the few Colorado artists to incorporate modern trends from New York and Europe after World War II. Although Bunnell did not receive widespread critical acclaim during his lifetime, his work garnered significant recognition, especially in the late 1940s when his painting Why? was chosen by curator Katherine Kuh for an important exhibition of abstract and surrealist art at the Art Institute of Chicago. His art was featured in traveling shows to ten other American museums, marking a high point in his career. Born in Kansas City, Bunnell moved to Colorado Springs in 1917, where he would spend the majority of his life. After serving in World War I, Bunnell pursued commercial art and later studied at the Broadmoor Art Academy. His studies with renowned artists like Birger Sandzén and Ernest Lawson influenced his distinctive landscape work. In the 1930s, he began painting Colorado’s mining towns and valleys, contrasting the grandeur of mountain scenery with stark industrial subjects. Bunnell’s involvement with New Deal art projects, including the Treasury Relief Art Project and Federal Art Project, shaped much of his work during the Great Depression. His early engagement with these programs, especially his murals for Colorado Springs schools, reflects his commitment to the American Scene style. As the years progressed, Bunnell’s work evolved into more abstract forms, influenced by his personal experiences and the tumultuous events of the time, including the loss of his son and the impact of World War II. His later abstract works, such as the Black and Blue series, were deeply spiritual, drawing on diverse philosophies and offering a window into the artist’s evolving emotional and intellectual journey. A dedicated teacher, Bunnell continued to mentor younger artists throughout his life, sharing his knowledge and encouraging experimentation. His legacy includes solo exhibitions at prestigious institutions like the Kansas City Art Institute, New Mexico Museum of Art, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Bunnell’s work can be found in major collections across the United States, including the Denver Art Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, and Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, among others.
  • Creator:
    Charles Ragland Bunnell (1897-1968, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1940
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 26 in (66.04 cm)Width: 35.5 in (90.17 cm)Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Frame Included
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Denver, CO
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 258591stDibs: LU27310432072

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