Mary Newcomb

Bagot Goat

1995

Important Russian-French Impressionist Gouache & Watercolor paining by Pyotr Alexandrovich Nilus (Пётр Александрович Нилус in French Pierre Nilouss (1869– 1943), signed & dated 1926....

In this painting, Sylvia Spicuzza demonstrates her skill as an illustration artist, representing the Milwaukee character Billie the Brownie with a growing spring of a tree. An illustration like this could grace the pages of a children's book or illustrated magazine, or as an advertisement for Schuster’s Department Store. Watercolor, gouache and graphite on paper 8 x 5.75 inches, artwork 14 x 12 inches, frame Stamped with artist signature, below image, lower left. Presented in a new custom frame with a gold-finish neoclassical wood moulding, archival matting and mounting materials; and UV glass to inhibit fading. Born in 1908, Sylvia Spicuzza was the daughter of noted painter Francesco Spicuzza. Sylvia devoted herself to teaching art to the students of Lake Bluff Elementary School in Shorewood, WI. During this time Sylvia produced a magnificent body of work that was undiscovered until her death. Sylvia's work is rich, diverse and fascinating collection of drawings, watercolors and prints from the 1920's to the 1990's. Her style ranges from early figurative drawings to regionalism, Art Deco, lyrical abstractions of every conceivable subject (both real and imagined), as well as figurative paintings that reflect the work of Picasso, Kandinsky and Max Ernst in the 1930's and 1940's. Biomorphic and organic, Modernist images are presented with Sylvia Spicuzza's own unique sense of style, humor and fantasy. Billie the Brownie was a multi-media star of Christmas in Milwaukee from the 1920s to the 1950s. Years earlier, the writer and artist Palmer Cox...

Early 20th century watercolour of a gentleman on horseback with other riders in the background apparently signed or titled 'Count A de Monthaus'. Signed or titled bottom left. Presented in fine period gilt frame under glass. The artist has captured a moment of pause, the gentlemen rider in his fine clothes and bowler hat regarding his surroundings as his fellow riders continue the chase behind him, possibly a 'point to point'. Monthaus has captured the stance of the standing horse as well as the movement of the other horses. He has used white to give light and definition to the costume of the rider and the background. A lovely atmospheric and dynamic watercolour very much of its period and in the spirit of equine portraiture made famous by the likes of Sir Alfred Munnings. Sir Alfred James Munnings, KCVO PRA RI (8 October 1878 – 17 July 1959) was known as one of England's finest painters of horses, and as an outspoken critic of Modernism. Engaged by Lord Beaverbrook's Canadian War...

Gahan Wilson was the Master of the macabre, and most of his work is associated with Charles Addams. The beauty of a Gahan Wilson is that is a payoff pu...