Sylvia Spicuzza

"Still Life with Fruit" original charcoal drawing by Sylvia Spicuzza

ca. 1940

In this drawing, Sylvia Spicuzza presents the viewer with a dark, subtle view of two milkweed pods, bursting forth with cotton. Examples like this show the ability of Spicuzza to draw in a naturalistic style, where most of her work is usually in a highly stylized, graphic mode. The richness and depth of the black charcoal makes for a moody image. 8 x 5 inches, artwork 18 x 14.5 inches, frame 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...

In this drawing, Sylvia Spicuzza presents the viewer with a scene of two young women relaxing on a dock in a lake. A dinghy floats beside them as other boats traverse the water. This drawing is reminiscent of the work done by her father Francesco, who is better known for landscapes in the Impressionist style. 12 x 9 inches, artwork 18.63 x 15.75 inches, frame Stamped with artist's signature, lower right 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...

In this drawing, Sylvia Spicuzza presents the viewer with a view of children jumping on a trampoline near the entrance to the grounds of the Wisconsin State Fair...

"Monkey Island at Washington Park Zoo" is an original graphite and charcoal drawing on paper by Francesco Spicuzza. It depicts a number of figures gazing out at a monkey enclosure at a zoo. The artist signed the piece in the lower left. 8 1/2" x 11 3/4" art 17 1/4" x 21 1/8" frame Francesco J. Spicuzza, born in Sicily on July 23, 1883, came to America at the age of 8. He supported himself as a fruit peddler until a newspaperman gave him $4 a week to go to school. He attended classes at the Milwaukee Art Students League, where he studied under Alexander Mueller. There he learned to paint in the then-fashionable "Munich School" technique, with detailed realism in heavy browns and grayed-out hues. Spicuzza completed eight grades in four years, and then in 1911, three businessmen advanced him enough money to allow him to study in New York under artist and teacher John Carlson. It was during this time that Spicuzza changed his style of painting, developing an impressionistic use of color, form and atmospheric renditions. After a period of grinding poverty, one of Spicuzza's pictures won a major New York competition. It was the first of 60 wins, both in the U.S. and Paris. He became a fashionable painter, and many of the leading collections have his work. Spicuzza's typical works were beach scenes, still life, landscapes and portraits done in pastels, oils, ink, charcoal and watercolors. Much of his work traced the history of Milwaukee in the early 1900s. He was probably best known for his scenes of women and children splashing in...

Graphite and charcoal on paper signed by the artist. 7.38" x 8.63" 16.75" x 15.5" frame Framed to conservation standards. Float mounted on 100% cotton matboard and glazed in UF5 Plexiglass that filters 99% of UV Rays to ensure the preservation of the piece. All housed in a bold miter jointed bevel frame in distressed silver finish with reflective accents. Francesco J. Spicuzza, born in Sicily on July 23, 1883, came to America at the age of 8. He supported himself as a fruit peddler until a newspaperman gave him $4 a week to go to school. He attended classes at the Milwaukee Art Students League, where he studied under Alexander Mueller. There he learned to paint in the then-fashionable "Munich School" technique, with detailed realism in heavy browns and grayed-out hues. Spicuzza completed eight grades in four years, and then in 1911, three businessmen advanced him enough money to allow him to study in New York under artist and teacher John Carlson. It was during this time that Spicuzza changed his style of painting, developing an impressionistic use of color, form and atmospheric renditions. After a period of grinding poverty, one of Spicuzza's pictures won a major New York competition. It was the first of 60 wins, both in the U.S. and Paris. He became a fashionable painter, and many of the leading collections have his work. Spicuzza's typical works were beach scenes, still life, landscapes and portraits done in pastels, oils, ink, charcoal and watercolors. Much of his work traced the history of Milwaukee in the early 1900s. He was probably best known for his scenes of women and children splashing in the waves...

"Fishing in Amsterdam" is an original ink drawing on paper by David Barnett. The artist signed the piece in the lower left. It depicts two figures fishing in front of a bridge. 8 1...

Ships at the Harbor - Nautical Seascape in Charcoal on Paper Detailed and layered harbor scene by Maude Folmar Ramsey (American, 1908-1993). The viewer is looking out at the harbor, across the water from the docks, buildings, and ships. The pillars, buildings, and masts are jumbled together in a pleasing manner that is almost abstract. Despite the simplified shapes, this piece is full of detail. This piece is executed in a rectilinear style frequently seen in American mid-century modern compositions. Signed in the lower right corner "Maude Folmar" Presented in a wood frame with a double mat. Frame size: 25.25"H x 29.25"W Image size: 17"H x 21.5"W Maude Love (Folmar) Ramsey (American, 1908-1993) studied at the School of Fine Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the director of the Laguna Gloria Art Museum from 1968-1972. Ramsey was one of the charter members of the “Waterloo...

Alice Kent Stoddard 1885-1976 Sledders (circa 1950-1960) Black chalk on card Image Dimensions: 19.75 x 16 inches (50.2 x 40.6 cm) Framed Dimensions: 26.5 x 22.3 inches Signed lower...

Harvest Time The Hills of Mt Tamalpais near Lake Bon Tempe 1890s The Hills around San Rafael in the 19th century were a time of work and play as seen in this watercolor near Lake Bon...

Gloucester Harbor Docking the Boat 1900 Gloucester Harbor circa 1900 by C. Bailey Cora was a San Francisco artist in the 19th century. (American), 19th-20th C). Image, 9.75"H x 14.5"...

A charming and colorful vintage coastal figurative landscape watercolor by Bay Area artist Sewall Smith (American, 1904-1988), c.1960s-1970s. This coastal scene depicts a plein air art class on the beach, with a group of figures busy working at their easels. Signed "Sewall Smith" lower right. Displayed in a new mat and vintage wood frame. Image size: 10.5"H x 13.25"W Edmund Sewall Smith, known as Sewall Smith or E. Sewall Smith, was a Berkeley, California based architect and artist known for watercolor paintings with nautical themes. A well known architect, Smith moved from Niagara Falls, New York to California in 1944. He flourished as an artist in the Bay Area in the 1970’s, exhibiting extensively in the East Bay throughout this time. Exhibitions included venues such as UC Berkeley, El Cerrito...

Serene 1920's watercolor landscape of calm water snaking through a lush marshy wetland, dotted with small birds, wildflowers and swaying grass, by an unknown artist (American, 20th C...