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Charles Ragland Bunnell
1930s WPA Era Graphite Drawing, American Modern City Scene of Houses on Hill, CO

circa 1935

About the Item

Graphite on paper drawing by Charles Ragland Bunnell (1897–1968), circa 1935, featuring a modernist cityscape of houses on a hill in Colorado. This artwork, created during the 1930s WPA era, captures the essence of American modernism. The piece is presented in a custom hardwood frame with archival materials and UV-protectant glass, measuring 21 x 21 ½ x ½ inches, with the image size at 22 x 25 ¾ inches. Provenance: Estate of the artist, Charles Ragland Bunnell. The drawing is in excellent vintage condition, and a detailed condition report is available upon request. About the Artist: Charles Bunnell was an artist and teacher known for his wide range of artistic styles. He worked in both representational and abstract imagery, incorporating the emerging modernist trends from New York and Europe. Bunnell’s style evolved over his lifetime, influenced by the significant cultural shifts of his time, including his experiences with the WPA and his association with artists like Boardman Robinson and Ernest Lawson. He was also an advocate for abstract expressionism, notably introducing Colorado Springs to this style in the late 1940s. Bunnell’s artistic journey was deeply personal, shaped by both professional challenges and personal tragedies, such as the loss of his son in 1938. His early works often depicted Colorado’s landscapes and mining towns, but by the 1940s, his art had begun to reflect surrealism and transcendental themes. Throughout his career, Bunnell exhibited widely, with solo shows at major institutions like the New Mexico Museum of Art and the University of Illinois. His work is held in collections at various museums, and he was a beloved instructor, mentoring numerous artists in his Colorado Springs studio until his passing in 1968.
  • Creator:
    Charles Ragland Bunnell (1897-1968, American)
  • Creation Year:
    circa 1935
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 21 in (53.34 cm)Width: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Frame Included
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
    Very good to excellent vintage condition. Detailed condition report available upon request.
  • Gallery Location:
    Denver, CO
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 134811stDibs: LU27312493462

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