Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

MAX TURNER
Black Girl Portrait - Gouache by Max Turner

1

About the Item

A certain enigma surrounds Max Turner: he possesses both undeniable mastery and the humility of a great artist. Endowed with musicality and vibrancy in his brushwork, he remains a man of unassuming nature, far removed from the realm of trendy art galleries. His experience as an art instructor has sharpened his acuity for studying and capturing the essence of figure models, nurtured by his lifelong fascination with the human visage. In this gouache portrait, one can sense that with each stroke, he repeats a gesture as if it was the very first time, capturing that fleeting fraction of a second, an emotion, a secret of his subject to infuse into his canvases. One can feel the artist’s pleasure in portraying his model, a girl with dark hair, a matte skin, while her lips are adorned with a hint of red. As with his other portraits, Turner’s distinctive style is evident in his ability to capture the enigmatic expressions and gaze of his subjects. This portrait is no exception, the intensity of the young model's gaze invites us to speculate about the story behind it and the mystery that surrounds her. Max Turner, born in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, had a remarkable artistic journey. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Max settled in Southern California and pursued a career in silkscreen work. An encounter with artist Hal Reed changed his path as Max joined an art class taught by Reed and became friends. Impressed by Max's talent, Hal offered him a teaching position. Max's passion for painting and sculpting grew, with his portraits drawing comparisons to Nicolai Fechin's work. In his 70s, Max focused solely on sculpting, creating about 100 full-size sculptures sold to prestigious clients and Hollywood studios. He continued teaching painting classes at the California Art Institute alongside renowned artists. Max authored several books showcasing his drawings and paintings, highlighting his mastery of capturing human expression. His works continue to be cherished by art enthusiasts, leaving a lasting impact.
  • Creator:
    MAX TURNER (1925 - 2019, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 23.75 in (60.33 cm)Width: 20.75 in (52.71 cm)Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Pasadena, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU654312457042
More From This SellerView All
  • Caricatural Portrait - Gouache on Paper by Max Turner
    Located in Pasadena, CA
    In this gouache portrait, Max Turner has opted for caricature. Caricature is a form of art that involves exaggerating a person's physical features to create...
    Category

    1960s Other Art Style Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Gouache

  • "Paddling Woman" Watercolor Minimalist Painting #1 by Christopher Paul Cobb
    Located in Pasadena, CA
    "Paddling Woman" is a minimalist watercolor that captures the essence of the human experience. Through the delicate strokes of a brush dipped in watercolor, the artist has conveyed the inner turmoil of the main subject, which may be remembering or dreaming of past or previous journeys. Her long, curly hair cascading down her shoulders symbolizes the wildness within us all. The simple black ink lines that create the birds and ships in the background add a touch of innocence and childlike wonder, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time. The signature is in the right corner, and it is dated (September 1995). It sits in a simple black wood frame. Christopher Paul Cobb is an American artist born in the 20th Century. He is the grandson of baseball great player Ty Cobb.
    Category

    1990s Post-Minimalist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Watercolor, Ink

  • Watercolor Minimalist Drawing #2 by Christopher Paul Cobb
    Located in Pasadena, CA
    This watercolor painting #2 is part of a series featuring minimalist characters with pastel watercolors. The artwork depicts a pensive woman in the foreground. She poses with her head in her hands. A large water-down shadow covers the right half of her face, suggesting that she may have something on her mind, like what the artist depicted in the background. Sketched with black ink lines, it is a city...
    Category

    1990s Post-Minimalist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Watercolor

  • "Blue Hair Woman and a Bird" Minimalist Watercolor #3 by Christopher Paul Cobb
    Located in Pasadena, CA
    This very unusual and introspective watercolor is a contemplative piece that invites viewers to ponder the nature of memories and how they come back into our brains. The artist creat...
    Category

    1990s Post-Minimalist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Watercolor, Ink

  • Black and White Drawing of a Clown by Christopher Mark Brennan
    By Christopher Mark Brennan
    Located in Pasadena, CA
    A remarkable piece by Brennan. Clean and thick lines made with ink and gouache, featuring a clown-like figure very different from the usual clowns existing for the kid's fun. The background complements the clown's attire. Christopher Mark Brennan...
    Category

    21st Century and Contemporary Other Art Style Portrait Drawings and Wate...

    Materials

    Ink, Wood, Paper

  • Black and White Charcoal Portrait of a Woman by Max Turner
    Located in Pasadena, CA
    In this drawing, the background is deliberately neutral to accentuate the prominence of the face. Charcoal is a "free" drawing medium known for its expressive qualities, requiring artists to work within its unique constraints. As an experienced figure work instructor at the California Art Institute, Max Turner...
    Category

    1960s Neo-Expressionist Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Charcoal

You May Also Like
  • Bacchus (1943) by Ernst Georg Heussler - Gouache 32x41 cm
    Located in Geneva, CH
    Ernst Georg Heusser, Swiss painter with 60 auctions on the country. The oldest in 1991 ans the most recent on 2021 (1903-1982) The work is on paper and ...
    Category

    1940s Fauvist Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Oil Pastel, Gouache

  • Vogue Magazine, Elegant Fashion Illustration for Adel Simpson
    By Antonio Lopez
    Located in Miami, FL
    Vogue USA, Fashion Illustration. Meticulously drawn in a descriptive and yet creative way. Antonio's full mastery of his art is on full display. Signed lower right. The work is arch...
    Category

    1980s Post-Impressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Gouache, Watercolor, Pencil

  • Gottfrid Olsson, La Ciotat
    Located in Cheltenham, GB
    This charming mid-20th-century gouache by Swedish artist Gottfrid Olsson (1890-1979) depicts a colourful street in La Ciotat, France. Situated in Provence, La Ciotat is a quaint 17t...
    Category

    1940s Post-Impressionist Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Paper, Watercolor, Gouache

  • Bloom Floral Display Mid 20th Century French Post Impressionist Signed Painting
    Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
    Jean La Forgue (French 1901-1975) signed gouache on paper, unframed dated 1953 painting: 21 x 15 inches provenance: the artists estate, France condition: very good and sound conditi...
    Category

    Mid-20th Century Post-Impressionist Still-life Paintings

    Materials

    Gouache

  • 'Out of Hokkaido', Carmel Art Association Exhibit, Japanese portrait, Kimono
    Located in Santa Cruz, CA
    By Virginia Conroy Dedini (American, 1922-2006). Titled lower left, 'Mitsuko ''Okaido Born''' and dated August 1976. Exhibited: Carmel Art Associati...
    Category

    1970s Post-Impressionist Portrait Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Paper, Watercolor, Gouache, Graphite

  • 'Girl in Red', Guggenheim, LACMA, Rome, Academy of Fine Arts, Venice Biennale
    By Carlo Maria Mariani
    Located in Santa Cruz, CA
    Signed upper right, 'C. Mariani' for Carlo Maria Mariani (Italian, 1931-2021) and dated 1959. A native of Rome, Carlo Mariani first studied there at the Academy of Fine Arts where h...
    Category

    1950s Post-Impressionist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

    Materials

    Paper, Gouache

Recently Viewed

View All