Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

Eleanor Parke Custis
Karnak by Eleanor Parke Custis

Circa 1935

About the Item

Eleanor Parke Custis 1897-1983 American Karnak Signed 'Eleanor Parke Custis -' (lower right) Gouache and charcoal on paper American painter Eleanor Parke Custis demonstrates her mastery of the gouache medium in Karnak. A celebration of color and a relic of the artist’s travels abroad, the composition is well-balanced, exuding photojournalistic and documentarian qualities. In Karnak, Custis paints a compelling and dynamic image of a great ancient Egyptian ruin. Seven distant men, likely Bedouins dressed in their traditional long gowns and headscarves, walk toward the viewer at the center of the frame. The imposing stone architecture of the archaeological ruins at Karnak stretches into the solid blue sky, making the men appear diminutive next to the pillars’ monumental size. Fields of warm orange, red and yellow hues dominate the painting. Deep shadows cloak the interior of the structures, and the viewer can imagine the heat of the afternoon sun, which appears to be almost directly overhead. Eleanor Parke Custis began her artistic studies at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in Washington, D.C. under famed American Impressionist Edmund C. Tarbell, also studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. She hailed from a prominent family in Washington D.C. and resided in the nation’s capital for the majority of her life. Custis moved to Gloucester, Massachusetts in 1960. Custis was incredibly well-traveled, finding inspirations for her watercolors and gouaches throughout Europe and South America. She took a Mediterranean cruise in 1934 that brought her new interest in the markets of Morocco, the archaeological sites of Cairo and the streets of Jerusalem. The compelling Karnak composition was certainly a product of this trip, infused with the photojournalistic realism that defines her gouaches of this period. Custis’ works reside in the permanent collections of many prestigious American museums, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. Circa 1935 Paper: 25“ high x 19” wide Frame: 25 1/8“ high x 29 1/8” wide x 1 5/8“ deep Provenance: Sale, James R. Bakker Antiques, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 22, 1987, lot 10. Private Collection, New York
  • Creator:
    Eleanor Parke Custis (1897 - 1983, American)
  • Creation Year:
    Circa 1935
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 35.13 in (89.24 cm)Width: 29.13 in (74 cm)Depth: 1.63 in (4.15 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    New Orleans, LA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 31-63061stDibs: LU18611689002

More From This Seller

View All
Emprunt 6% Souscrivez (War Loan 6% Subscribe) by Raoul Dufy
By Raoul Dufy
Located in New Orleans, LA
Emprunt 6% Souscrivez (War Loan 6% Subscribe) Signed "Raoul Dufy" (lower right) Gouache on paper This vibrant gouache on paper by the renowned Raoul Dufy is not only a work of exceptional artistry, but also represents an important period in world history. The piece was a special commission ordered by the French government, who sought to encourage the French people to join in the post-war reconstruction efforts. Following World War I, the French government was destitute. The cost of the Great War had been tremendous not only in lives lost, but also in terms of infrastructure and finances. In order to reclaim its place as a great power on the world stage, France needed funds to reconstruct its key industries, and quickly. Thus, the government turned to one of the most famous French artists of the day - Raoul Dufy - to create this gouache on paper as an advertisement for the country's war bonds. The extraordinary work represents Dufy's own sense of patriotic duty. Entirely unique in his oeuvre, it is clear that Dufy wished to create something truly special to help his war-torn country. The artist deftly captures the industry of France in the colorful composition, showcasing bridges, buildings, ships and other key elements of the country's infrastructure in order to evoke the viewers' pride, patriotism and willingness to help. The words Emprunt 6% Souscrivez (War Loan 6% Subscribe) are boldly written across the top, seeking subscribers to a 6% interest loan to help rebuild the country - a very healthy return for the age. The powerful painting represents one of the most effective and extensive patriotic campaigns of all time. France relied heavily on the willingness of its citizens to lend money...
Category

20th Century Post-Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Paper, Gouache

Grand Canyon by Thomas Moran
By Thomas Moran
Located in New Orleans, LA
Grand Canyon by Thomas Moran Thomas Moran 1837-1926 American Grand Canyon Signed with initials in monogram and dated “T Moran 1908” (lower left) and signed, inscribed and dated “Moran/To Mr. & Mrs. Carl Brant/Grand Canyon/July 12 1908” (on reverse) Oil on canvas Thomas Moran’s Grand Canyon...
Category

Early 20th Century Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Nature And Culture By Patrick Hughes
By Patrick Hughes
Located in New Orleans, LA
Patrick Hughes b. 1939 British Nature and Culture Signed, dated "Nature and Culture / Patrick Hughes / 2000-2023" Oil on board construction Another success from the artist, Natur...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Post-Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

Autumn Garden Walk
By John Atkinson Grimshaw
Located in New Orleans, LA
The golden-red glow of the autumnal sun illuminates this countryside scene by British painter John Atkinson Grimshaw. Showcasing the celebrated painter’s mastery of light and atmosph...
Category

19th Century Pre-Raphaelite Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Football by Fedor Ivanovich Zakharov
By Fedor Zakharov (b.1882)
Located in New Orleans, LA
Signed in Cyrillic "F. Zakharov" (lower right) and signed again and inscribed "Fedor Zakharov/Football" (on reverse) Oil on card laid down on panel Undoubtedly, football, or socc...
Category

1910s Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Panel, Cardboard

Automne d'or by André Brasilier
By André Brasilier
Located in New Orleans, LA
André Brasilier French I b. 1929 Automne d'or Signed “André Brasilier” (lower right) Oil on canvas In Automne d'or, celebrated French artist André Brasilier exquisitely conveys th...
Category

20th Century Modern Animal Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

You May Also Like

"Home" Charcoal, ink and gouache on paper
By Robin Cole
Located in Denver, CO
Robin Cole's (US based) "Home" is an original, handmade charcoal, ink and gouache painting that depicts a grey monochrome pattern with a branch and sus...
Category

2010s Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Charcoal, Ink, Gouache

Sun's Rays, Westhampton Beach
By John Button
Located in New York, NY
Gouache on paper Signed and dated, l.r. 9 x 12 inches This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City Born in California, John Button (1929-1982) was educated at Univ...
Category

1970s Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Paper

Ford Plant, Dearborn, Michigan
By John Button
Located in New York, NY
Gouache on paper Signed and dated, l.l. This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City Born in California, John Button (1929-1982) was educated at University of Cali...
Category

1970s Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Paper

St. Paul's Dome
By John Button
Located in New York, NY
Gouache on paper This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City Born in California, John Button (1929-1982) was educated at University of California, Berkeley. After...
Category

1960s Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Paper

Dunes
By John Button
Located in New York, NY
Gouache on paper Signed and dated in pencil, l.r. This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City Born in California, John Button (1929-1982) was educated at Universi...
Category

1970s Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Paper

Cove, Moriches Bay
By John Button
Located in New York, NY
Gouache on paper This artwork is offered by ClampArt, located in New York City Born in California, John Button (1929-1982) was educated at University of California, Berkeley. After...
Category

1970s Realist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Paper

Recently Viewed

View All