Masonite Interior Paintings

Neon Lighting WPA Mid 20th Century Social Realism American Scene Modern Figures MAURICE BECKER (1889-1975) 'Neon Lighting 17 1/4 x 13 3/4 inches Oil on masonite Signed, dated 1936 and titled on verso BIO Maurice Becker, painter, political cartoonist and social reformer, was born in 1889 either in Gorky or Niznij Novgorod, in Russia. His family came to the United States in 1892, to New York City. After high school, Becker worked in a clothing factory. He studied with Ash Can School artist Robert Henri in 1908, and exhibited in the famous 1913 Armory Show in New York City when he was only twenty-four years of age. At the Armory show, Becker showed a drawing of a dog's head...

"Room Interior" is an original acrylic painting on masonite by David Barnett. The artist used bright, non-mimetic colors to create an abstracted interior scene. Artist signed piece o...

Expressive Mid-Century figural painting of two women and child in pastel hues by Harold Kitner (American, 1921 - 2004). Image, 33"H x 48"W Walnut frame, 34"H x 49"W x 2"D Harold Kitner was born on May 18, 1921 in Cleveland, Ohio and was the son of Isaac and Frieda Kitner. He obtained his MA from Case Western Reserve University in 1947. Kitner was a postgraduate from Cleveland Institute, Ohio University, Cleveland College, Washington and Lee University. He obtained his Doctorate from Kent State University. Exhibition: Harold Kitner - Active / Figure / Exaltation at Kent State School of Art Gallery in Kent, Ohio in 2014. Harold Kitner taught for over 30 years at the Kent State University School of Art. Harold Kitner began teaching art and art history at Kent State University in 1947. During his career, he served as Director and Chairman of the Fine Arts Division. Kitner played a significant role in creating the Art School’s core program, organizing the Kent State Arts Festival, and the Blossom Festival School. He also served as President of the Kent chapter of the American Association of University Professors, and was an art critic for the Akron Beacon Journal. In 1967, Kitner became Kent State University’s first Faculty Ombudsman, officially titled Dean for Faculty Counsel. He held this position until 1974. At the time of the Kent State shootings, Kitner’s position as Ombudsman meant that he was involved in many of the decisions regarding University administration in the weeks and months following the Kent State shootings. Kitner began a partial retirement in 1980, and left Kent to become the director of the Institute of the South Florida Art...

Wonderful art deco style still life of yellow and lavender tulips in vase with sugar bowl by Hamlin (American, 20th Century), circa 1935. Signed lower right "Hamlin" Condition: Good;...

Mid-Century Modernist Multi-Color Bouquet Still Life Vivid and fun mid century modern still-life of vase of flowers by California artist Virginia Sevier Rogers (American, 1917-2015)....

A quaint interior scene of clothes hanging & drying by artist Harold Haydon. Harold Emerson Haydon was born in Fort William, Ontario, Canada in 1909. Haydon came to Chicago with h...

Paul Riba (American, 1912-1977) The Sun Oil on masonite Signed lower right, titled verso 14 x 21.5 inches 20.75 x 28.25 inches, framed Paul Riba was a painter of Magic Realism. He ...

Ultra Realist Library Still-Life Books and Candles "Little Devil in the Details" Highly detailed library interior scene and still-life titled "Little Devil in the Detail" by Ken DeWaard (American, 20th-century). This intriguing artists performance in excellence piece, features realistically rendered books, paintings within paintings, candle light, and a devil or gargoyle sculpture. The artist creates a strong mood as well as interesting subject matter in this unique scene. Signed "Dewaard '99" upper right. Displayed in a wood frame. Image size, 13"H x 14"L. Frame: 20"H x 21"W x 2"D After receiving his Bachelor of Arts with honors, Ken began working in a commercial art studio in Chicago. He continued his studies at the American Academy of Art, where he studied with nationally recognized watercolorist, Irving Shapiro. Upon Irving's recommendation Ken joined the acclaimed Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art in Chicago, where he soon began studying with Scott Burdick as well as Dan Gerhartz...

Mid Century Floral Still Life in Oil on Masonite Bold still life with flowers and foliage by unknown artist "Rishard" (Richard) (20th Century). Yellow, red, teal, and purple flowers are arranged in a large grey pot...

After the Chores comes Cold Lemonade with Milking Stool Still Life Country Style Milk Stool and Hay Fork with the reward of cold lemonade after all the chores are done. P. Etheridge, a Pacific Grove art...

Gorgeous and vibrant mid century spring garden still life of a vase of pink peonies with a pair of garden gloves in the foreground by listed artist Helen Gleiforst (American, 1903-19...

NYC Subway Mid 20th Century American Modernism WPA Realism industrial Colorful "New York Subway," 36 x 48 inches. Oil on Masonite (backed with a wood frame), Signed and dated ’47 upper left. The colors of the painting are extraordinarily vibrant. The white gold frame, signed Richard Tobey...

Classic mid century still-life of a green drape with vase, by W. Gray (American, 20th Century). Dated and signed by the artist lower right, "57 W. Gray." ...

Abstract Modernist oil painting by Zoute dated 1951. Oil on Masonite. I believe the subject in the painting is the artist's wife Thelma Salter. Zoute used himself and his wife almost exclusively as models. Painted in 1951. Unframed. Presented by Joseph Dasta Antiques. Zoute (Born-Leon Salter, 1903-1976) was self-taught and well exhibited during his lifetime. He painted from 1940-1954 (he stopped painting at this later date due to his wife's illness and death and never painted again) A self-taught artist, he was part of the great modern wave. He exhibited with many of the most notable artists of the day such as Picasso, Braque, Klee and others at the invitation only State University of Iowa International Show 1946-1947. He had numerous one man shows at NYC galleries, Mortimer Levitt / Joseph Heller...

This 40" x 40" oil on masonite panel by artist Marc Barker was painted in charcoal and sepia tones, and was created in an 'old world' grisaille style. "This monochromatic abstract harkens back to my collegiate studies, and as a graduate student teaching zoology with the hours spent staring into a microscope mystified by the primordial world just out of site, a bacterial/protozoan cloud chamber...

Wonderful two-sided mid century pulp art figurative painting of a woman at party in black evening gown and formal gloves, and on verso couple dancing by unkno...

American Outsider Folk Art Painting "The Wall-Flower" by Gussie Smith Roth C.1965 Original oil on masonite Masonite dimensions 28" wide x...

Gorgeous mid-century still life of a vase of white lilies next to a green teapot and lemon by listed California artist Helen Enoch Gleiforst (American, 19...

Idle Hour is an intricately painted Impressionist depiction of woman with her pets on her veranda. It is exquisitely framed in a French Gold Leaf frame of quality and value. Paint...

"Lovender" - 1979, Abstract Expressionist Oil on Masonite 1979 Original abstract expressionist painting by John O. Thomson (American, b. 1941). Purples, pinks and yellows make up this unique abstracted piece. Signed, titled and dated "J. Thomson" lower right, "Lovender, 1979" on verso. Presented in original painted wood frame. Frame: 29"H x 23"L. Image: 28"H x 22"L. John O. Thomson is a Bay Area artist. Thompson lived between Santa Cruz, California and Mexico, while working with several of California's designers and art galleries. Thomson studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts, where he was awarded the Bachelor of Arts Degree, Master of Arts Degree, and California Teaching Credentials at Chico State University. He received his Master of Fine Arts Degree in Painting from the University of Guanajuato in Mexico and went on to teach at many institutes. Thomson has exhibited in many galleries and shows throughout the world including: The Galleria Design Center in San Francisco, The Institute Allende Masters Show, Art Center of Saratoga, The Triton Museum of Santa Clara, The Northern California Art...

Harry McCormick (New York, b. 1942) "The Artist Studio" Original Oil Painting c.1970s Magnificent realist painting by New York artist Harry McCormick. Harry McCormick is a painter ...

Yellow chrysanthemums in a black vase with a deep blue backdrop come together in a beautiful midcentury still life oil painting by Central Valley and Los Angeles, California artist A...

Inviting and warm interior dining room scene by S. Spencer (American, 20th Century). Signed and dated “S Spencer 83” in lower right corner. Unframed. Image size: 17.5 x 21.5.

"Squares and Things" painted by the eminent artist, Charles McGee, literally breaths his African American heritage and his extraordinary vibrant use of colors. Provenance is The Arwin Galleries on Grand River in Detroit, Michigan - label on verso. This early painting of McGee's shows his mastery in creating a painting in the style of the French Impressionist Edouard Manet, "Still Life with Melon and Peaches" located in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, and in the style of Fauvist/Expressionist painter Henry Matisse, "Still Life with Blue Tablecloth", located in the Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia. McGee makes the well-known genre of still life his own creating an exciting marvelous work incorporating the homely quilt - the powerful symbol of the African American road to safety from slavery - as his main focus. Quilts symbolize warmth, comfort, and as shown by the collection of quilts gathered by the artists in Gee's Bend the designs on the quilts hung outdoors at locations along the Underground Railroad showed fugitives the road north and to safety. "Squares and Things" was first shown at The Arwin Galleries, Inc., Detroit, Michigan, one of the stops along the Underground Railroad. This piece is signed by the artist, Charles McGee, and is an extraordinary example of his early work before he moved into Abstract Expressionism and his many sculptural works now located throughout Michigan. Several of these works are: "Noah's Ark: Genesis, 1984," on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts, his brilliant 2005 "Progression" a 45-foot wide aluminum sculpture at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, and his stunning 2016 "United We Stand" sculpture at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History . His genius can be seen in sculpture installments throughout the city of Detroit. . He was born into a family of sharecroppers. While helping his grandfather tend the land, "he observed firsthand the order and harmony that exists within nature." He had no formal schooling until moving to Detroit at age 10, where he found that "everything was on the move and it hasn’t slowed down yet." in 2017 he observed, "I learned something not being in school — because life is school . . .I learn something every time I move. Every time I go around a corner, something new is revealed to me.” McGee took advantage of the GI Bill to attend classes at the Society of Arts and Crafts, now the College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI. Other College for Creative Studies (formerly Center for Creative Studies) faculty and graduates include Richard Jerzy, Harry Bertoia, Doug Chaing (currently director of Lucas Film), Stephen Dinehart (game maker, writer, designer connected with The David Lynch Foundation), Tyree Guyton (international artist), Herb Babcock, Jerome Feretti, Kevin Siembieda (writer, designer and publisher of role-playing games), Renee Radell, and Philip Pearlstein. After retiring from the Corps of Engineers, McGee spent 1968 studying art in Barcelona. Despite not knowing the language at the outset, he immersed himself in the culture and opened himself to a whole new range of experience that would play out in his artwork. "If you free yourself, you have this kind of opportunity to have those experiences, horizons, and new vistas." (per interview with Nick Sousanis author of a book on Charles McGee.) He returned to Detroit and curated "Seven Black Artists" at the Detroit Artists Market in 1969, which along with McGee himself, included Lester Johnson, Henri Umbaji King, Robert Murray, James Lee, Allie McGhee...

Medium: Oil on Masonite Signature: Signed Lower Right, with Title and Registration Marks in Chalk "Tom pleaded, 'Does one misstep have to ruin our marriage?'" Cover illustration for...

A strong modernist oil painting depicted in 1969 by Russian painter Michael Baxte. Mostly known for his abstracted figures on canvas or street scenes, this piece is a wonderful representation of his bold still life paintings, with expressive use of color, shape, and form. Later in his career, Baxte explores Expressionism, infusing both European and North American stylistic trends. This piece is from later in his career, but we can feel this underlying style throughout. Art measures 21.75 x 18 inches Michael Posner Baxte was born in 1890 in the small town of Staroselje Belarus, Russia. For the first half of the 19th century it was a center of the Chabad movement of Hasidic Jews, but this group was gone by the middle of the 19th century. By the time the Baxte family immigrated to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century, the Jewish population numbered only on the hundreds. The native language of the Baxte family was Yiddish. It is likely that the death of Michael Baxte’s father triggered the family’s immigration. Three older brothers arrived in New York between 1903 and 1905. Michael and his mother, Rebecca, arrived in 1907. By 1910 Michael, his mother, and brother, Joseph, were living in New Orleans and may have spent some time on a Louisiana plantation. Around 1912, Michael Baxte returned to Europe to study the violin. In 1914 he, his mother, and Joseph moved to New York City. Meanwhile, in Algeria, a talented young woman painter, Violette Mege, was making history. Since for the first time, a woman won the prestigious Beaux Art competition in Algeria. At first, the awards committee denied her the prize but, with French government intervention, Mege eventually prevailed. She won again 3 years later and, in 1916, used the scholarship to visit the United States of America. When Violette came to New York, she met Baxte, who was, by then, an accomplished violinist, teacher, and composer. Baxte’s compositions were performed at the Tokyo Imperial Theater, and in 1922 he was listed in the American Jewish Yearbook as one of the prominent members of the American Jewish community. As a music teacher he encouraged individual expression. Baxte stated, “No pupil should ever be forced into imitation of the teacher. Art is a personal experience, and the teacher’s truest aim must be to awaken this light of personality through the patient light of science.” By 1920 Michael Baxte and Violette Mege were living together in Manhattan. Although they claimed to be living as husband and wife, it seems that their marriage did not become official until 1928. On their “unofficial” honeymoon around 1917, in Algiers, Baxte confided to her his ambition to paint. There and later in New Mexico where the wonderful steeped sunlight approximates the coloring of Algiers, she taught him his heart’s desire. He never had any other teacher. She never had any other pupil. For ten years she devoted all her time, energy, and ambition to teaching, encouraging, inspiring him. Then in 1928, their mutual strivings were rewarded, as his works were being chosen as one of the two winners in the Dudensing National Competition for American Painters. Out of 150 artists from across the country participated in the Dudensing, and Michael Posner Baxte and, Robert Fawcett...

Nativity scene on an architrave of a cathedral, done in the style of Hummel figurines by Helen Gleiforst (American, 1903-1997). Signed "Gleiforst" in t...

Still life "Wine with Orange" by Claude (Charles Claude) Buck (1890-1974). Signed lower left. Artist's notes and color scheme on verso. Displayed in rustic giltwood frame. Image, 14"...