Bernie Fuchs

Fauve Portrait of Three Women in Blue Holding Red Abanicos

Circa 1960's

A glamorous nude female of ideal proportions stands side-by-side with her partially clothed counterpart. They are intertwined with seasonal foliage to symbolize the painting's title, "Summer into Spring." Iconic American Illustrator/Artist Bob Peak integrates the sinuous curves of plants, flowers, and color to indicate a seamless seasonal transition. On the left, the figure is bathed in a soft, dreamy green that subtly transitions into a delicate blue. The painting is large in scale and exhibits a deep knowledge of academic painting, with two female portraits masterfully rendered. Peak also exhibits his skills as a colorist. He harmoniously fuses human flesh tones into a fantasy land of lush floral elements. Drawing inspiration from Art Nouveau, Peak makes a statement about the universal theme of beauty in nature. As a sight to behold, joy ripples through one's body, looking at "Summer into Spring". It is a late work in the artist's career but also one of his best. Signed lower left. Unframed. Provenance: The Estate of the Artist. Color may vary depending on light source. Best viewed with top gallery-style lighting. Bob Peak was the Norman Rockwell of American Illustration from the 1960's to the 1980's. He was as in demand as he was technically and creativley innovative. Regular Clients were, Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TV Guide and Esquire and Major Ad Agencies. He has been dubbed Master of the Modern Movie Poster. Fate of a Man, movie poster illustration (U.S. release), 1959 West Side Story, movie poster illustration, 1961 Birdman of Alcatraz, 1962 The Leopard, movie poster illustration (U.S. release), 1963 My Fair Lady, movie poster illustration, 1964 The Cincinnati Kid, movie poster illustration, 1965 The Liquidator, movie poster illustration, 1965 Lord Jim, movie poster illustration, 1965 Kaleidoscope, movie poster illustration, 1966 Modesty Blaise, movie poster illustration, 1966 Our Man Flint, movie poster illustration, 1966 Camelot, movie poster illustration, 1967 In Like Flint, movie poster illustration, 1967 Thoroughly Modern Millie, movie poster illustration, 1967 The Wanderer, movie poster illustration (U.S. release), 1967 For Love of Ivy, movie poster illustration, 1968 A Dream of Kings, movie poster illustration, 1969 Funny Girl, movie poster illustration, 1969 Lions Love (... and Lies), movie poster illustration (alternate poster), 1969 The Secret of Santa Vittoria, movie poster illustration, 1969 There Was a Crooked Man..., movie poster illustration, 1970 Cesar & Rosalie, movie poster illustration (U.S. release), 1972 The Great Waltz, movie poster illustration, 1972 Enter the Dragon, 1973 Mame, movie poster illustration, 1974 The Voyage, movie poster illustration (U.S. release), 1974 The Yakuza, movie poster illustration, 1974 Rollerball, movie poster illustration, 1975 That's Entertainment, Part II, movie poster illustration, 1975 The Missouri Breaks, movie poster illustration, 1976 Equus, movie poster illustration, 1977 Islands in the Stream, movie poster illustration, 1977 The Spy Who Loved Me, movie poster illustration, 1977 Every Which Way But Loose, movie poster illustration, 1978 Superman, movie poster illustration, 1978 The Wiz, movie poster illustration (alternate poster), 1978 Hair, movie poster illustration (alternate poster), 1979 Apocalypse Now...

Wonderful 60's chic is on full display in this beach scene. It's masterfully designed. The beautiful model horizontally fills the center space while supporting players fill background spaces. The style is very flat with lots of gray muting the colors and defining the artist's palette. Fuch's was a giant talent who is overlooked by today's art world participants. His style could be described as a post-post impressionist. This particular work is so deftly designed and exhibits the most intriguing positive and negative spaces. The model is rendered with loose, quick and authoritative brush strokes which give an air of chic confidence. Most of all, it's her dreamy blue eyes that truly captivate the viewer. All parts of the eye ( Iris, Pupil, Sclera ) are composed of a soft robin's egg blue which is in counterpoint the pink day-glow color on her lips. She looks at you. You look back and the process is repeated and repeated. Fuch's not just a great painter, designer, academic artist but a brilliant and innovative colorist as well. To demonstrate how great this simple work is, out of a world population of 7.2 billion people, as a betting man, I would say there may be no other artist who could render a scene this good. An artist such as Peter Doig, who does nice and beautiful work, may come close to the talent of Fuchs. Bernard Fuchs American, 1932 - 2009 Girl at the Beach...

Bob Peak may be America's greatest post-war illustrator. In this earlier work from 1965, the artist paints a street scene of workers in the style of Les Nabis...

Perhaps a study or a preliminary work for for "L'ombre d'une jeune fille en fleur", Lot 46 - Christie's, New York (February 14, 2007) Private Collection, Miami Gouache and pencil...

Blue toned abstract figurative enhanced giclée depicting three men wearing funky hats and red striped vests. Signed by artist at the bottom right. Framed in a black and gold thick fr...

mixed media on paper with silver frame and glass Total size with frame: 51x41 cm

A unique oil painting on paper, framed with a thin, black aluminium box frame. Artwork floated and raised to the back board. Ready to hang. Size of 100 x 70 cm is that of the artwork...

Abstracted Three Women with Earrings Figurative in Pastel on Paper Vivid abstracted profiles of three women wearing earrings by Black Arts Bay Area artist, Kelvin Curry (American, 20th Century), circa 2000. Three women's profile in in bold cobalt blue and playful colors of fluorescent red and yellow. Black outlines and tribal designs creates even more contrast, making this piece read well from a distance. The tall and thin size of this piece makes this ideal for those difficult and odd sized walls Signed lower left corner Presented in new, acid-free black mat. Mat size: 38"H x 16"W Paper size: 30"H x 11"W Image size: 28.50"H x 9.50"W Born in Oakland, California Kelvin Curry's creative destiny was clear early in life. Initially using black and white graphite as his medium and later expanding into mixed media to bring about multi-dimension; as well as a sense of rhythm and grace in the abstract female figure. Kelvin Curry studied fine arts at San Jose State University and has been making and exhibiting art all his life. Curry has a keen understanding of the arts, particularly the black arts movement in and around the Bay Area. Kelvin has exhibited his work in hundred of juried festivals, exhibits, and galleries throughout the country. Visitors from countries such as South Africa, Japan, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and China have chosen his work to adorn their homes in their native lands. Collectors include Randy Crawford, Nancy Wilson...