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Ralph Dorn Hetzel, JrAbstract Modernist Oil Painting - noted Penn State Area Artist Ralph Dorn HetzelCa 1970’s
Ca 1970’s
$1,650
£1,253.22
€1,447.88
CA$2,312.53
A$2,588.16
CHF 1,350.82
MX$31,562.22
NOK 17,288.67
SEK 16,365.94
DKK 10,805.32
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About the Item
The name “Hetzel” has long been associated with Pennsylvania history. George Hetzel (1826-1899) was a French-born American painter who settled near Pittsburg and pursued a distinguished career of Pennsylvania landscape paintings. Ralph Dorn Hetzel (1882-1947) served as the tenth president of Penn State University from 1927 until his death twenty years later. His son, Ralph Dorn Hetzel, Jr (1912-1994) created a distinguished career in the Washington DC government circles and later became a noted abstract modern painter.
Ralph Hetzel, Jr graduated valedictorian from Penn State in 1933. At the time, his father was serving as the fairly new president of the campus. The younger Hetzel went on to study at the London School of Economics and soon established himself as an executive in the early labor organization in Washington. During WWII, he served under General Lewis Hershey, Director of the Selective Service. By 1951, he moved on to join the Motion Picture Association as a lobbyist. He served as president of the MPA from 1966-1971. In his later years, Ralph Dorn Hetzel, Jr became an abstract painter, specializing in Color School techniques and principles. The bright abstract paintings that he created are in museums and private collections. The Palmer Museum at Penn State in State College has one in their collection.
This painting is a similar work by Hetzel, ca 1970’s. To be sure it was painted by Ralph Dorn Hetzel, the Palmer Museum at Penn State was consulted and it was found that their signature on file matched that on this painting. It is a lovely abstract that may show houses or cottages by water. It is titled on the reverse “Toledo” and lettered again by the artist “Ralph Hetzel”. It has similarities to works by famous American artist Milton Avery (1885-1965). The simple red and black geometric shapes seem to float, or nestle, within a sandy or arid landscape with the sky or adjoining body of water filling out the painting field. The title of the work, “Toledo” may hold the clue as to possible location. Overall, it’s an engaging work of modern art that pops with color, shapes and movement.
The provenance of this work was through the estate of a retired Penn State professor.
The painting alone measures 12” x 16”. The frame appears to be original and is of wood with an applied mottled painted surface. It measures 18” x 22” overall. Both the painting and frame are in very good condition with no condition issues to report.
- Creator:Ralph Dorn Hetzel, Jr (1912 - 1994, American)
- Creation Year:Ca 1970’s
- Dimensions:Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Baltimore, MD
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2396216412422
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