Mid-20th Century Figurative Paintings

Framed 29 X 23 Image 18 X 24 The sweetness that characterizes the work of Mexican painter Jose Maria de Servin (1917-83) is a melancholy and placid one. While he worked in the most modern of styles, he adapted it to an anecdotal folk-art approach distinctly his own. When he was an infant, de Servin's family moved with him to Guadalajara. A city of history and culture, Guadalajara had a thriving artistic community with strong connections to Europe. His brothers Antonio and Miguel became artists as well, and in later years they worked collaboratively. As a teenager, de Servin studied at one of Mexico's Schools of Open-Air Painting, free art-teaching institutions sponsored by the government. Later de Servin became a pupil of the painter Chucho Reyes, known for his improvisational watercolor variations on traditional Mexican themes. This interest in imagery particular to Mexico would be of great significance to de Servin. De Servin also studied under the more traditional painter Jose Vizcarra. In the early 1930s de Servin joined the Pintores Jovenes de Jalisco, or Young Painters of Jalisco. An influence of critical importance to de Servin was Pablo Picasso. One of the originators of Cubism, the Spanish painter soon departed from its quasi-scientific and optical basis to create lively and humorous geometrical abstractions. It was this Cubism, personal and decorative, that de Servin adopted. His earliest Cubist works mimic Picasso, while during the second stage of his career, his works become smooth and polished, with an emphasis on gentle surface textures. After these cautious years, however, a rough boldness enters along with dominating colors of earth and sand. Modernists like de Servin were interested in exploring what they considered primitive artmaking styles. The adoption of a native manner and native themes is in keeping with Modernist tenets, as is the use of nontraditional materials. De Servin's portraits of peasants, large-eyed and simply rendered, recall children's drawings. The rough burlap ground contrasts with the playful imagery and delicate range of color. The figures, all children or child-like adults, are all curves and simple shapes arranged harmoniously. De Servin's cubism is free from grotesquerie as it celebrates the simplicity of its subjects. De Servin worked with the social-realist Jose Orozco on several large mural commissions in Guadalajara, including one at the Legislative Palace. While their styles were dissimilar, both made use of Mexican imagery to glorify the common people. A sought-after muralist in his own right, de Servin brought the rich colors and endearing characters of his panels to his larger-scale work. For 15 years, de Servin taught summer art classes at the University of Arizona. His career was marked by many one-man shows, both in North America and Europe. In recent years, his striking style has attracted increased notice from critics and the public. His style is a unique conglomerate of tradition, history, legends, heroes, old customs and folklore. It is a self-standing style, recognizable, cheerful, whimsical and a happy creation. Naïve art is any form of visual art that is created by a person who lacks the formal education and training that a professional artist undergoes (in anatomy, art history, technique, perspective, ways of seeing). Unlike folk art, naïve art does not necessarily evince a distinct cultural context or tradition. Naïve art is recognized, and often imitated, for its childlike simplicity and frankness. Paintings of this kind typically have a flat rendering style with a rudimentary expression of perspective. One particularly influential painter of "naïve art" was Henri Rousseau (1844–1910), a French Post-Impressionist who was discovered by Pablo Picasso. Naïve art is often seen as outsider art that is by someone without formal (or little) training or degree. While this was true before the twentieth century, there are now academies for naïve art. Naïve art is now a fully recognized art genre, represented in art galleries worldwide. Museums devoted to naïve art now exist in Kecskemét, Hungary; Riga, Latvia; Jaen, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; Vicq France and Paris. "Primitive art" is another term often applied to art by those without formal training, but is historically more often applied to work from certain cultures that have been judged socially or technologically "primitive" by Western academia, such as Native American, sub saharan African or Pacific Island art (see Tribal art). This is distinguished from the self-conscious, "primitive" inspired movement primitivism. Another term related to (but not completely synonymous with) naïve art is folk art. There also exist the terms "naïvism" and "primitivism" which are usually applied to professional painters working in the style of naïve art (like Paul Gauguin, Mikhail Larionov, Paul Klee). At all events, naive art can be regarded as having occupied an "official" position in the annals of twentieth-century art since - at the very latest - the publication of the Der Blaue Reiter, an almanac in 1912. Wassily Kandinsky and Franz Marc, who brought out the almanac, presented 6 reproductions of paintings by le Douanier' Rousseau (Henri Rousseau), comparing them with other pictorial examples. However, most experts agree that the year that naive art was "discovered" was 1885, when the painter Paul Signac became aware of the talents of Henri Rousseau and set about organizing exhibitions of his work in a number of prestigious galleries. The Earth Group (Grupa Zemlja) were Croatian artists, architects and intellectuals active in Zagreb from 1929 to 1935. The group included the painters Krsto Hegedušić, Edo Kovačević, Omer Mujadžić, Kamilo Ružička, Ivan Tabaković, and Oton Postružnik, the sculptors Antun Augustinčić, Frano Kršinić, and the architect Drago Ibler. A term applied to Yugoslav (Croatian) naive painters working in or around the village of Hlebine, near the Hungarian border, from about 1930. Some of the best known naive artists are Dragan Gaži, Ivan Generalić, Josip Generalić, Krsto Hegedušić, Mijo Kovačić, Ivan Lacković-Croata, Franjo Mraz, Ivan Večenaj and Mirko Virius. Camille Bombois (1883–1970) Ferdinand Cheval, known as 'le facteur Cheval' (1836–1924) Henry Darger (1892–1973) L. S. Lowry (1887–1976) Grandma Moses, Anna Mary Robertson (1860–1961) Nikifor (1895–1968) Poland, Horace Pippin (1888–1946) Jon Serl (1894-1993) United States Alfred Wallis (1855–1942) Scottie Wilson (1890–1972) Gesner Abelard...

Artist: Ian Hornak (1944-2002) Title: Untitled (Abstract Figures with Flowers) Year: 1963 Medium: Watercolor on heavy archival paper Size: 29.5 x 21 inches Condition: Good Provenance...

Oil on canvas Signed Born in California, John Button (1929-1982) was educated at University of California, Berkeley. After moving to New York City in the early 1950s, he became frie...

3 Figures by Josine Vignon (French 1922-2022) ink/watercolour/pencil drawing on thin paper, unframed paper: 13 x 10 inches stamped verso very good condition provenance: from the ar...

GEOMETRIC GATHERING Size: 43 x 72 cm (including frame) Oil on board A striking mid-century modernist semi-abstract figurative painting, executed in oil onto board and dated 1964. T...

Charming oil painting of the Wells Fargo Express Office building in the gold country town of Columbia State Historic Park in Columbia, California by Cecil ...

Two figures at table is a modern artwork realized by the artist Eliano Fantuzzi. Mixed colored oil painting. Includes frame. Hand signed on the lower margin and on the back.

Work on paper Golden wooden frame with glass pane 38.7 x 31 x 1.5 cm

The Oxen Cart French Impressionist artist, 1960's signed oil on canvas, framed dated 68' framed: 19 x 28 inches canvas: 15 x 23 inches provenance: private collection, France conditio...

3074 Italian Fisherman Portrait, oil on canvas applied to a board, displayed in a wood frame, signed lower left by E.Mori

A vibrant landscape by French artist Charles Cobelle. Signed lower right Rainy Parisian Day Charles Cobelle, French (1902–1994) Date: Circa 1960 Acrylic on Canvas, signed l.r. Size:...

UNION SQUARE Depression Era Oil Painting WPA Realism American Scene Realism NYC Jo Cain (1904 – 2003) "Union Square" 24 x 36 inches Oil on canvas, c.1940s S...

1960s oil on board painting of a Paris street scene by Nicola Ortis Poucette. The painting is signed bottom right. Presented in modern white gloss frame. A charming French mid century oil painting...

Portrait by Louise Alix (French, 1888-1980) *see notes below provenance stamp to the back oil painting on canvas stuck on board, unframed measures: 18 high by 15 inches wide conditi...

Wonderful 1940s genre landscape of traditional English cottage painted in the European style by Henry T. Harvey (English/American, 1908-2000). Signed lower right corner. Presented in...

DRIFT AND THOUGHT Size: 35 x 44 cm (including frame) Oil on board A mid-century modernist painting that presents a tranquil seaside scene, executed in oil onto board. The painting ...

Striking Fauvist portrait with a vibrant, high voltage color palette, featuring a green woman with red hair by Sydney Helfman (American, 1926-2010). Aut...

This tribute painting to Flemish art by an unknown artist portrays figures inside a mansion with a yellow and black checkerboard floor and a stained-glass window with brilliant color...

A modern interpretation of the biblical story Suzanna and the Elders. Signed lower right Ink and wash on paper The Downtown Gallery Felix Landau Gallery Ernest Brown & Phillips, Ltd...

'Portrait of Boy' by Luigi Corbellini (circa 1930s). The artist painted this endearing young boy whose name remains unknown. Perhaps the slightly timid expre...

Laying Nude with Blue Lace is an artwork realized by the Italian artist Antonio Feltrinelli in the 1930s. Oil on canvas. Beautiful original frame included...

Portrait of a Man with Cherries & Blue Jug French School, mid 20th century circa 1950's oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 26 x 16 inches provenance: private collection, France conditio...

Les Alpilles, Provence by Georges Leroux (French 1911-1997) signed lower front, titled verso oil on canvas, framed Framed: 15 x 17 inches Canvas: 9 x 11 inches Provenance: private co...

Oil on wooden panel. Good condition except for some minor losses on edges.

Mid-century figure study of an African American man by American Impressionist artist Genevieve Rogers. Unsigned, but acquired with a collection of her...

Oil on canvas mounted on board, realized by Francesco Settimj in 1933. Hand signed and dated lower left. Good condition.

Bell Ringing Guy Nicod (French 1923 - 2021) gouache on artist paper, unframed painting : 16 x 20 inches provenance: artists estate, France condition: very good and sound condition

Alexander Sharpe Ross - or Alex Ross. This work is a perfect artistic statement with every formal element in perfect harmony. It's a masterf...

Theatre de Sara Bernhart et Place de Chatelet by Edouard Cortes was painted circa 1935-40 and signed lower right. It is an oil on canvas measuring 13x18...

Work on cardboard

Robert SAVARY Christmas Elf Original oil on canvas Signed bottom right On canvas 42 x 33 cm (c. 17 x 13 in) Presented in a golden wood frame 58 x 50 cm ...

Rose is a modern artwork realized by Giovanni Omiccioli in the mid-20th century. Mixed colored oil painting. Hand signed on the lower margin. Includes frame.

Oil on canvas, signed and dated 'EN [19]63' lower right, titled and dated to stretcher, numbered 33 and with paper label 34 to stretcher, From the family of the artist by direct des...

One of the Stations of the Cross by Jean La Forgue (French 1901-1975) *see notes below oil painting on canvas, housed in original metal frame overall dimensions: 17 x 17 inches prov...

Original cover for The Saturday Evening Post magazine, published May 14, 1932 Joseph Christian Leyendecker’s Circus Bareback Rider (1932) is a standout example of his work for The S...

Constantin Kluge was a Russian-born French painter best known for his naturalistic scenes of Paris and French countryside. Kluge was born to a wealthy military family on January 29, ...

Dynamic jungle drummer scene by unknown NYC American artist. Oil on canvas measuring 20 x 26 inches. Signed "T 42" in ink on verso. Anco stretchers and Grumbacher NYC store stamp con...

Frank Owen Salisbury (1874-1962) Male portrait painting, 1934 Oil on canvas 39 x 48

"Danger" - Original Modernist Oil Painting on Canvas Striking modernist painting by Bay Area artist Jean Hyson (American, 1928-2023). Hard edge oil on canvas depicting a black square to the left of the canvas with a lit up cinema projector. A mans face can be seen appearing in the light coming from the projector. An orange square is seen parallel to the projector, with a yellow circle inside. The number "13" can be seen in the lower right of the orange square. Purple and light blue take up the background. Signed "Hyson" lower right in black square. Titled, signed and dated "Jean Hyson" "Danger 1966" verso. Presented in a purple wooden frame. Frame: 20 1/2"H x 24 1/2"W Image: 19 3/4"H x 24"W Born in Texas, Jean Hyson (American, 1928-2023) is best known for her modernist, sharp edge, paintings. Hyson attended the Art Student League in New York with George Grosz, Yaso Kumiyoshi and William Baziotes and Beaux Artes, Paris, France from 1954-59. She was an Artist in Residence and Instructor at the California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland from 1970-1974. Her work is held in the Oakland Art Museum, Oakland California, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, California and the California Container Corp. of America, Chicago, Illinois. Jean Hyson and her then-husband Jacques Fabert (who typically painted under the name “Jean Faber Himbert”) were an important force within the midcentury San Francisco art scene. Her work has been featured in countless Bay Area gallery and museum exhibitions—including SFMOMA, the de Young, and the Legion of Honor—and is in numerous public and private collections. In a fantastic in-depth interview with Hilda Pertha...

Work on canvas Wooden frame 141.5 x 82 x 3.5 cm This impressive work of art presents an expressive and captivating portrait, where the artist's rich details and bold techniques unf...

Simka Simkhovitch (Russian/American 1893 - 1949) This came with a small grouping from the artist's family, some were hand signed some were not. These were studies for larger paintings. This is a watercolor and gouache beach scene three young men bathing...

This artwork titled "Autumn River Bank" c.1955 is an oil painting on canvas by American artist Richard Ellis Wagner 1923-2009 It is signed at the ...

5143 Antique full size figurative image oil painting and collage of a standing robed prophet on plywood panel

Jean Charlot Fresco style painting in plaster on board in the original artist made frame. Titled on a label on the verso: "Bed Time.” In excellent condition. Signed by the artist upp...

Work on canvas Wooden frame with golden patina 75,5 x 60 x 3,5 cm

Welcome to Heritage, our carefully curated collection of French vintage and antique paintings. We scour the flea markets and fairs for these gems: poignant portraits of long-gone Me...

A dymanic mid century abstract expressionist painiting with geometric shapes in cool tones and two figures by Leslie Luverne Anderson (American, 1928-2009). Oil on masonite. Titled "...

Flower market in front of the Madeleine in Paris. Oil on canvas, 54x65 cm In this fascinating painting by artist Constantin Kluge You can view Paris. This city is famous with many t...

Apres Midi by Josine Vignon (French 1922-2022) signed oil painting on canvas, framed framed: 38 x 31 inches canvas: 34x 28 inches Very good condition ...

Mid-Century Modern portrait of a man by California artist Genevieve Rogers (American, 1904-1984). The abstracted background has texture created with d...

Edward SEAGO (1910-1974, British) Seated Figure Reading by a River Oil on canvas Stamped signature on reverse Framed 18 ½ x 22 ¾ inches Provenance: Private Estate, Maryland A beaut...

Relaxed Beach Scene by Regine David (female French artist, 1910-2018) watercolor painting on artist paper, unframed inscribed verso, dated 1933 panting: 6 x 9 inches condition: This ...

"Summer Pier Fishing" American Scene Social Realism WPA Mid-20th Century Modern Syd J. Browne (1907-1991) "Summer Pier Fishing" 22 x 30 inches Oil on canvas. c. 1930s Signed lower r...

Work on wood Golden wooden frame 73 x 87 x 4 cm

Pierre Thibault was a renowned French artist and known for his figurative paints depicting Parisian life in the 20th Century. Mainly street scenes of the bustling city of Paris and i...

Gouache on paper, 1948 by Werner Reifarth ( 1919-1977 ) , Germany. Monogrammed and dated top right: R48. Framed. Height: 26.38 in ( 67 cm ), Width: 16.93 in ( 43 cm ) This captivati...

Streeter Blair Overholser Family, 1890, Sterling, Illinois, 1949 Signed, titled, and dated lower left Oil on canvas 8 x 10 inches Primitive painter St...

Fruits is a modern artwork realized by the artist Gian Paolo Berto in 1967. Mixed colored oil painting. Hand signed on the lower margin. Signature, title and date on the back Inc...