Orla Muff

'Nana', Art Deco, Paris, Berlin, Weimar Republic, Max Reinhardt Theater, Smoking

1934

Signed lower left, 'Goetz' for Jack Goetz (American, born 1919); additionally signed, verso, dated 1998, titled 'Toreador', with artist information. A dramatic figural study of a proud, young toreador shown seated, wearing an embroidered vest and gazing directly towards the viewer. Goetz has painted and exhibited with success for many years and continues to paint at the age of 104. Speaking of himself, the artist says: "I studied arts and languages at Santa Monica College, taking classes in oil and watercolor painting, sculpture, ceramics, art history and music. At the same time, I studied with master painter Sergei Bongart. Because he taught many people in the movie business, I had fun meeting and painting with people...

Signed center right, in the 53 stub, 'Childers' for Robert Childers (American, 1924-1984) and dated 1954. Robert Childers first served in the U.S. Navy for six years after graduating from Medford High School in 1941. Following World War II, he studied at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art where he was the recipient of a gold medal and, upon graduating from the Museum's school, was the recipient of a Cresson scholarship and attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where he received his Masters degree. Childers continued his education with classes at Fleisher Memorial and performed for two years with the Philadelphia Dance Theater. Following his studies, he worked in fabrics, film production, toys and illustrations for publishers with du Pont in New York City. At the same time he maintained a studio and old twine factory over the Cherry Lane Theater. He lived in Greenwich Village for 19 years before accepting a position developing new products for American Greetings Inc. While there he designed the Hobbie Holly cloth doll...

Signed lower right, 'Caswell' for Helen Rayburn Caswell (American, 1923-2018) and painted circa 1955. A substantial, mid-century figural oil by this listed California woman artist who showed her talent at an early age. In Saratoga, Caswell began a successful career as an artist and portrait painter, displaying in galleries in Carmel and teaching artist workshops. In addition to her work as a fine artist and portrait painter, Helen wrote and illustrated over 30 books for children and adults. In 1981, Helen moved to Occidental in Sonoma County where, in addition to continuing to paint and teach, she designed stained glass windows for the Sebastopol United Methodist Church. She was also commissioned to paint numerous murals including at St. Ignatius Church in San Francisco and for the Elizabeth Seton Center in Menlo Park.

Signed lower left with monogram, 'P.T.' for Pearl Took (American, 1928-2012); additionally signed verso, dated 1977 and titled 'Sheila Antoine'. Born in England, Pearl Took first st...

"Joni" - Portrait of a Girl in a Yellow Dress in Oil on Canvas Skillful portrait of a young girl by Morris Zirlin (American, 1913-1990). A young girl with wide brown eyes poses for ...

Saturated, intimate depiction of sharing a bed with a partner by Narcissus Robert Quagliata (Italian-American, b. 1942). While four fingers dominate the composition, the focus of the...

A striking, large-scale multi-color modernist portrait of Noir fiction writer Cornell Woolrich by Chris Pelletiere (American, B. 1942). Cornell Woolrich wrote the novel "The Rear Window." He studied at the Arts Students League and NY School of Painting and Drawing. Signed on verso with artist's information, and title "Portrait: Cornell Woolrich". Wood slat, basic frame. Image size; 50"H x 50"W. A painter, illustrator, and cartoonist Pelletiere cites his early influences as the pre-code crime and horror comics. " Life in the metropolitan area plays a significant role in my artwork. For many years he made sketches of people in the transit system. Chris Pelletiere is a painter, collage artist, illustrator, and cartoonist. His work is in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, The New York Public Library and private collections of Stephen King...

Nice oval painting realized by an Italian master belonging to the Tuscan school at the end of 19th / beginning of 20th century. In excellent conditions.