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Gordon Stevenson
"Reading in the Study" Impressionist Portrait Oil Painting Woman in Pink Dress

1917

$35,000
£27,137.96
€30,778.40
CA$50,171
A$54,562.10
CHF 28,744.53
MX$662,666.97
NOK 361,376.82
SEK 338,761.58
DKK 231,075.39

About the Item

Renowned for his elegant portraits, landscapes, and genre scenes, Stevenson's celebrated canvases depict the times of his generation, portraying life in all of its glory. Receiving formal training under the acclaimed Spanish master Joaquín Sorolla and forging a personal acquaintance with John Singer Sargent, shaped his refined brushwork and luminous color palette. Returning to the US after his training, his intense lust for life thrived deeply, connecting to his subjects with outbursts of passion which poured majestically into his work. Establishing himself as a portrait painter, “Reading in the Study” exemplifies this intense connection triumphantly; the playfulness of light highlighting her face, her stance, and the expressions felt in her eyes, is a complete view into the past, transporting us to this moment through each nuance that Stevenson has portrayed effortlessly. This piece is signed upper right corner and dated 1917 and is housed in a robust gilt wood carved museum quality frame with hanging wire on verso ready to be displayed. Art measures 53 x 29 inches Frame measures 60 x 36 inches Gordon Stevenson was a distinguished American painter, renowned for his elegant society portraits in oil, luminous watercolor landscapes, and intricate etchings that captured the subtle interplay of light and nature. Born on February 28, 1892, in Chicago to Scottish immigrant parents, he was immersed in an artistic heritage from a young age. He honed his craft at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he studied under luminaries and received early commissions for murals. Seeking broader horizons, Stevenson traveled extensively through the British Isles and Europe, training in Spain under the masterful Joaquín Sorolla, whose vibrant palette and romantic sensibility profoundly shaped his own work. He later benefited from the discerning critiques of John Singer Sargent, who advised him on the delicate balance of proportion and environment in portraiture, helping Stevenson avoid the pitfalls that plagued lesser artists. Stevenson's oeuvre reflects a masterful versatility: his portraits, such as the evocative Portrait of Francis I. du Pont, exude sophistication and psychological depth, often depicting affluent subjects in opulent settings with a keen eye for texture and expression. His landscapes, like Catskill Stream (ca. 1932), held in the Brooklyn Museum collection, evoke the serene poetry of American wilderness through translucent watercolors that dance with dappled sunlight and flowing streams. Etchings such as On the Willowemoc and Hung Up—submitted to the 1932 Summer Olympics art competitions—demonstrate his precision in capturing fleeting moments of rural tranquility, earning immediate acclaim and acquisition by major institutions. An athlete in spirit as much as in art, Stevenson's graphics and paintings were selected for the Olympic art exhibitions in both 1932 (Los Angeles) and 1936 (Berlin), where he showcased works inspired by trout fishing along New York's Willowemoc Creek and introspective angling scenes. These pieces not only highlighted his technical prowess but also his affinity for themes of patience and harmony with nature. Gordon Stevenson passed away in February 1984, leaving a legacy of works that continue to enchant collectors and institutions worldwide, from the Smithsonian American Art Museum to Tripoli Gallery. His art endures as a testament to the enduring allure of beauty, whether in the poised gaze of a sitter or the whisper of a woodland brook. PROVENANCE: Private Collection Manhattan, New York; Lilac Gallery Collection. The piece will be stamped from Lilac Gallery on its verso.
  • Creator:
    Gordon Stevenson (1892 - 1984, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1917
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 60 in (152.4 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    The painting is in overall good condition for the time period with stabilized craquelure throughout, the antique frame shows some scuffs, chips, and minor imperfections in line with the manufacturing period (please see listing pictures for details).
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 0067281stDibs: LU98217045052

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