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Hal Frater
'The Artist as a Young Man' by Hal Frater - Ashcan School Figurative Painting

Circa 1950

About the Item

Hal Frater's "The Artist as a Young Man" is a striking oil on canvas that captures the essence of the artist himself, rendered in a raw, emotive style. The palette is earthy, with natural browns and creams contrasted against subdued blues and hints of muted red, evoking a sense of both the mundane and the profound. Frater's use of color and form reflect a contemplative mood, a moment of introspection. The artist's gaze is direct and unflinching, suggesting resilience and a deep inner life. This mid-20th-century piece, evocative of American Realism, offers a personal narrative, exploring themes of identity and self-perception. Frater’s technique—visible brushstrokes and a textured application of paint—adds a tangible depth to the work, inviting the viewer to consider the artist's inner world and the time in which he lived. About the Artist: Hal Frater was not just an artist, but a storyteller who left us on February 3, 2008, on the cusp of his 99th birthday. His fifty-year tenure as a commercial artist was a testament to his adaptability and appeal. Yet it was in his private studio where Frater’s true passion lay — painting not for clients, but for his own soul's expression. His work, always striving to capture the nuances of the human spirit, reflected his sharp observational skills. His artistry was honed not in formal schools, but alongside his peers in spontaneous gatherings, painting from life, sharing techniques and critiques that fueled their collective growth. Influenced by the likes of Jack Levine, Raphael Soyer, John Sloan, Thomas Hart Benton, Reginald Marsh, and Phillip Reisman, Frater’s work resonated with the depth and diversity of these mentors. The 1920s, a time of bold strides in art following the devastation of World War I and a climate ripe with political change, greatly influenced Hal Frater's creations. He thrived among the emerging discussions of Marxism in the art world, absorbing the era’s yearning for a synthesis of art, craft, and design heralded by institutions like the Bauhaus. This period's ethos of Gesamtkunstwerk — a total work of art — is an enduring echo in the legacy of Hal Frater’s diverse and reflective body of work. An original painting, one-of-a-kind. Available at The American Art Gallery, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Keywords: Hal Frater, Ashcan School, figurative, oil painting, young man, artist, raw, emotive, blues, reds, identity, self perception, American Realism
  • Creator:
    Hal Frater (1909 - 2008, American)
  • Creation Year:
    Circa 1950
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Framing:
    Framing Options Available
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Carmel, CA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: Ellen DeGeneres, Joe Walsh, Ringo Starr, Tony Coles and more1stDibs: LU1380214150662

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