20th Century Portrait Paintings

Mid Century portrait of a woman wearing red by Jon Blanchette (American, 1908-1987). Signed by the artist in the lower right corner. Canvas has been mounted on fiberboard. Unframed. ...

Charming hand painted photograph, portrait of a young ballerina as Tinker Bell by an unknown artist (American, 20th Century). Circa 1957. Signed "Studio d'Art Los Altos...

Portrait of Woman in Red Dress - Figurative Study Watercolor and gouache figurative study of a woman in a red dress by Bay area artist (possi...

Realistic mid century portrait of a boy playing with an antique toy car by Ralph Joosten (American, 1928-2009). Signed "R. Joosten" in the lower left ...

We are proud to present outstanding original oil on canvas by American artist William Gropper (1897-1977.) William Gropper was an artist and illustrator, known for his exceptional a...

Mid century portrait of a woman with pearls and a blue shirt by California artist Genevieve Rogers (American, 1904-1984). Unsigned, but acquired with ...

Mid-century fauvist portrait of a girl with colorful, textured impasto by Mary Sheppard (American, 20th Century), 1956. Signed and dated "Mary Sheppard '56" lower right. Unframed. Im...

A beautiful portrait of a woman named Wilda Leiner, a pianist (1908-1994) by longtime Santa Cruz, CA resident Cor de Gavere. Signed "Cor de Gavere" lower right. Provenance listed on ...

Abstract Expressionist Self Portrait in Black and Grey Dynamic self portrait by Michael William Eggleston (American, b. 1948). Greyscale acrylic paint on paper. Unsigned, but acquire...

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

Presenting a magnificent early oil painting by American artist Robert McIntosh(1916-2010.) The Professor, is an original oil on paper, laid on panel, estate stamped, painted in 1935, currently unframed with an image dimension of 20 x 16 inches, beautiful original condition, acquired directly from the personal collection of the artist. This is among the earliest work of Robert McIntosh, painted in a master level classical style. Please contact our West Hollywood gallery...

Pair of two vintage portraits of Native American figures, one older and one younger, in profile with braids and headdresses by Victor S. ...

A sensitively painted portrait of the artist's daughter, Nancy, aged two and a half, shown wearing a floral-striped, jade green gingham dress. Signed lower right, 'Martha Tracy Frey' (American, 1915-2010) and painted 1944; additionally inscribed verso 'Picture of Nancy Jane Frey from life-sized photograph when about 2 1/2. Painted by her mother in 1944.' This Kern County...

Signed lower left "Di Gesu" for Victor Di Gesu (American, 1914-1988) and dated 1954. Winner of the Prix Othon Friesz, Victor di Gesu first attended the Los Angeles Art Center and the Chouinard Art School before moving to Paris where he studied with Andre L’Hote...

Excellent figurative painting of a mother and child by H. Willard Ortlip (American, 20th Century), 1927. Signature and date lower left "H. Willard Ortlip 1927." Presented in a giltwo...

Charming portrait of a young girl with red hair wearing a typical mid-century frilly dress and high-cut bangs, by an unknown artist (American,...

We are proud to have discovered and now present a rare original self portrait by Austrian Expressionist artist, Franz Bergmann (1998-1977) "My Self", is an original oil on canvas, signed, c.1938, with an image dimension of 29 x 24 inches. The painting is in good original condition, the frame has been restored. A biography on the artist appears below, please contact the gallery with any question. Franz Bergmann 1898 - 1977 Franz Walter Bergmann was born on August 6, 1898, in Dimling, Austria, a town northwest of Vienna. His parents were both involved in the arts: his mother was a pianist, and his father was an amateur artist and a violinist. After serving in World War I for three years, he enrolled in the National Academy of Art in Vienna and embarked on a seven-year course of study, focusing on figure painting and portraiture. Although schooled in the academic tradition, Bergmann also adopted elements derived from the more avant-garde German Expressionist style. By 1924 he was exhibiting in Vienna and Stockholm. The following year, he graduated with honors. He left Vienna to tour Europe, and in early 1926 he traveled to the United States. After a brief stay in New York, he moved to Chicago, where he obtained a commission to paint murals for theaters owned by Balaban & Katz. That year his mural sketches were exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago. He then moved to New York, where he joined the staff of the noted Austrian architect and designer Josef Urban...

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

Mid Century Oil Portrait of a Dancer By Zikvo Zic C.1959 Original oil on canvas Canvas dimensions 31" wide x 39" high The frame measures 3...

Portrait of a Woman in Purple - Parisian Art Deco Female Figurative Colorful and quirky art deco style figure painting of a seated Parisian woman dressed in light purple with decora...

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.

Mid century Native American portrait by B. Shepard (American, 20th Century). Signed "B. Shepard" lower middle. Unframed. Currently on a mat, ...

Signed upper right, 'Oda Lauritsen' for Oda Lauritsen Isbrand (Danish, 1904-1987) and dated, upper left, '1928'. A powerful oil portrait of the artist's husband-to-be, the notable D...

Albert Marquet was a French painter. He initially became one of the Fauve painters and a lifelong friend of Henri Matisse. Marquet subsequently painted in a more naturalistic style, ...

Vibrant fauvist portrait of a woman by Sarena Rosenfeld (American, b. 1940), 1995. Signed and dated lower right hand corner and on verso. Titled "Smoke and Mirrors." Gallery wrapped ...

Modern unfinished portrait of handsome man in dress uniform by American painter, Patricia Gren Hayes (b. 1932), circa 1970. Unsigned. Provenance: Purchased as part of larger collection of artist's work from the estate of Larry Miller Unframed. Canvas size: 30"H x 36"W. Patricia Gren Hayes (American, b. 1932) is a Bay Area Figurative & Feminist Art Movement artist who studied at Winnipeg Public Art School in 1950. She received early recognition in Museum and Gallery competitions and exhibitions and was awarded a Special Education in Art recognition by the Winnipeg Museum of Fine Art, and was awarded a scholarship to the Banff College of Fine Art. Further studies were at The University of Manitoba. She was a Member of Winnipeg Free Press Sketch Club and was a Cartoonist and paste-up for a French-English bi-weekly, in Eastern Canada; She studied outdoor impressionism in New York in 1960; in 1962, attended The California College of Arts and Crafts, and in 1976 B.A., U.C. Berkel...

Basket Weaver with his Baskets for the Market 1950s figurative oil Expressive and detail portrait of a weaver and his baskets, heading to market by California impressionist nna Oley...

Early 20th Century Likeness of Jack London Wonderful portrait of a gentleman with a striking likeness to Jack London by Robert Alexander Graham (American, ...

Initialed lower right 'A.H.'; signed verso, "Alfred Helberger", inscribed "Gertrúd" and dated 1914. Bearing the original 1962 exhibition label from the Senator fur Folksbildung, Ber...

Dynamic fauvist portrait painting titled "Chicken Yard" by California abstract expressionist artist Kristin Cohen (Ameican, b. 1963). Kristin Cohen studied at Humbolt State Universit...

Wonderful mid century portrait of Carmel artist Doris Estelle Rohr by listed California artist Abel George (Buck) Warshawsky (American, 1883-1962). Signed "A.G. Warshawsky Dec. 22 52...

Itzchak Tarkay (1935 -2012) "A la mode magnifique" ...

Mid century pulp art portrait of a somber clown with a yellow shirt, red hair and a red nose, holding a scepter in a dramatized space with a candle and green ...

ANN SINGER "MAN PORTRAIT" ACRYLIS ON CANVAS, SIGNED CZECH, DATED 1983 35 X 29 INCHES Plus frame

Classic Paul Marigny (1922-1998, French) painting of 2 young ladies with flowers. Oil on canvas Canvas dimensions 24" x 36" Frame dimensions 30" x 42"

Mid-century self-portrait by California artist Myrtle Cureton (American, 1909-2000). Signed "Myrtle Cureton" lower left. Artist's Santa Cruz Art League ...

Portrait of a woman with green eyes that are highlighted by the light green background by Monterey California-area artist Patricia Gillfillan (American, 192...

American school, Signed indistinctly lower right and dated 1988. A bravura, psychologically-penetrating oil study of a man, shown wearing a turban and contrasted against a scumbled ...

Antique Oil Painting of Madonna and Child Oil on canvas. Approximate dimensions 20" wide x 24" high. The frame is approximately 22" wide x 2...

Vintage Portrait of 1940's Noir Writer Cornell Woolrich Pencil portrait of famous 1930's 40's noir/crime writer Cornell George Hopley-Woolrich, circa 1980. Cornell George Hopley-Woolrich is one of America’s best crime and noir writers who sometimes wrote under the pseudonyms William Irish...

Mid century portrait of two children, a young boy and girl in traditional dress, set in a rustic interior by M. Ray Stancliff (American, b. 1925). Si...

Wonderful mid-century still life of a floral bouquet with self portrait, in a vivid palette and painterly brush strokes, by Marjorie Hyman (American, - 2016), circa 1969. Signed lower left corner. Unframed. Condition: Good; wear on edges and corners. Image size: 30"H x 24"W. Hyman was a professional artist, published poet, played piano at the Officers Club during World War II. She studied theater at Stanford University and later performed professional monologues in the Bay Area. Member of the Peninsula Art Association, student of Alice de Boton...

Wonderful 1965 portrait of a young man (possibly the artist Don Bachardy) in a striped shirt looking back over his shoulder by Paul Sorel (American, b- 1920...

Portrait of Boy and Guitar Original oil by Angeli - Italy circa 1960 Classical portrait of a young boy ad his guitar by Angeli, an unknown Italian painter (Italy, 20th Century). Roc...

Boldly colored portrait of a the artist sketching by California artist Richard "Don" Klopfer (1920-2009). The seated figure is juxtaposed to a fun and vibrant two-toned background of...

"The Entertainer" (FRAMED) Figurative Painting 60 x 54 inch by Yoram Katz Size framed: 67" x 61" inch ABOUT THE ARTIST: Born in Israel. Graduated from the Bazelel Art Academy in Je...

Mid 20th Century "Musicians" Original Oil Painting Fine oil portrait of two musicians One flute player, one drummer Original oil on linen over board Dimensions 31" wide x 40.5" h...

Modern portrait of young girl named Cathy Gutman by American painter, Patricia Gren Hayes (b. 1932), 1982. Signed and dated lower left corner and on verso Provenance: Purchased as part of larger collection of artist's work from the estate of Larry Miller fine Art Unframed. Canvas size: 18"H x 16"W. Patricia Gren Hayes (American, b. 1932) is a Bay Area Figurative & Feminist Art Movement artist who studied at Winnipeg Public Art School in 1950. She received early recognition in Museum and Gallery competitions and exhibitions and was awarded a Special Education in Art recognition by the Winnipeg Museum of Fine Art, and was awarded a scholarship to the Banff College of Fine Art. Further studies were at The University of Manitoba. She was a Member of Winnipeg Free Press Sketch Club and was a Cartoonist and paste-up for a French-English bi-weekly, in Eastern Canada; She studied outdoor impressionism in New York in 1960; in 1962, attended The California College of Arts and Crafts, and in 1976 B.A., U.C. Berkeley where she studied under Elmer Bischoff, David Simpson, Joan Brown, Felix Ruvolo, Yolanda Lopez and Vincent Perez. She started a freelance commercial art business in 1963; copyrighted a National Cartoon, 1976, and served as Exhibition Director for San Francisco Woman Artists Gallery and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 1976-1978. She was a workshop instructor at the San Francisco Woman Artists Gallery, 1977-1985; and was Manager/Owner Stanton Art Gallery, Alameda, CA, 1976-1982. Solo Exhibitions: Berkeley Marina, 1974; Oakland Center for The Visual Arts, "Images of Women", 1979 Group Exhibitions: Oakland's Dept of Education, 1963, Studio One; Alameda County Fair, 1975, 1976, 1978; San Francisco Art Festival, 1969, 1970, 1976, 1977, 1978; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 1976, 1977, 1978; San Francisco Women Artists Gallery Exhibition, award winner - 1970, 1977, 1978; Hayward Bay Fair Art Festival, award winner - 1971; Capricorn Assunder Gallery, 1973; Oakland Art Festival, 1973, 1974; Alameda Art Association, 1978; El Cerrito...

Maurice Evans Original Mixed Media Portrait 20th Century Outstanding original portrait Acrylics and Oil on Paper Dimensions 15.5" wide x 23.5" high T...

Modernist Portrait of St. Francis Compelling modernist oil on canvas portrait of St. Francis by Dr. Tarmo Pasto (American, 1906-1986). Presented in a taupe painted wood frame. Signed "Tarmo Pasto" bottom right, and titled "St. Francis" bottom center. Image size, 25.5"H x19.5"L. Dr. Pasto was a long-time contributor to the California art scene, as well as an art teacher and psychologist to many successful artists. He also authored a book on art, "The Space-Frame Experience in Art", published in 1964. He, however, was mainly known to the world for introducing the works of one of his patients, Martin Ramirez...

Midcentury impasto landscape of Sierra Mountains with stream in foregrounds snow-covered mountains in background. Signed "Lorie '65". Clown is painted on verso. Presented in carved a...

Inscribed verso "Dora Masters" and painted circa 1960. A large, Post-Impressionist figural oil of a young woman shown facing the viewer with her gaze averted and surrounded and over...

Scandinavian School, early twentieth century. Inscribed, verso, on stretcher bar, 'Anna Ancher' with indistinct inscription and painted circa 1910. A psychologically-penetrating portrait of a young woman shown in profile, wearing a gold earring and a polychrome silk headscarf...

Biography from the niece of the artist from during his lifetime. Paintings acquired from the artist.s estate. Max Turner 1925 - 2019 Max Lamar Turner Painter, Sculptor, Teacher and Author. Max Turner was born in Omaha, Nebraska on July 28, 1925. His father was Lance Howard Turner and his mother Mary Irene Turner. In 1927, his family moved to Bingham Canyon, Utah where Max's father extracted copper from a creek that he had diverted to pass through his garage. The town was located in a narrow canyon on the eastern face of the Oquirrh Mountains. In 1938, when Max was 13, his family moved to Midvale, Utah. After completing high school, Max went to work laying rail until he was inducted into the U.S. Navy to serve during W.W. II. There he took an aptitude test and was initially assigned to the medical corp., later transferring to the dental unit. Max was stationed at Port Hueneme, Ventura County, California through the end of the war. When he was discharged in 1946, he remained in Southern California, living in the Los Angeles area. He met a man named Larry Torres and they formed a partnership to do silk screen work primarily for the Colby Poster Printing Company. This lasted about 10 years until the Colby building caught fire and burned down. In 1958, Max began working for Slade Novelty company that made doll parts using a product called plastisol. A year later, Max began producing plastic parts through his own business. One day, a couple of kids brought in a shrunken skull they had made and asked Max if he could reproduce it. Max said he could and he looked around for a business to work with for this task. He ultimately decided he could create his own machine shop to make molds. As a result, Max purchased a lathe, drill press, grinder and other tools to create his own machine shop and went into business making molds. He built a clientele and in 1973, he moved his machine shop to Glendale, California. Painter, Sculptor, Teacher and Author: Max recalls the day when his interest in art took a new direction. He happened to be in a paint store to purchase some supplies when he saw a card posted on a wall that read, "Come paint with Connie Marlo". Max had been interested in art since his youth and he was frequently impressed with paintings displayed by local artists at various community events. Consequently, he decided to go to Connie's Saturday morning art class at a studio on North La Brea Avenue (between Sunset and Hollywood) in Los Angeles. But, as fate would have it, he immediately took a detour from this class when he found a piece of paper on the floor of the studio referencing another art class dealing with compositions, patterns, rhythms and color harmony. The instructor's name was Hal Reed, a former art student of the Russian/American Master, Nicolai Fechin. Hal owned the building (previously the Will Foster Studio) and had founded the Art League of Los Angeles. When Max found Hal, he asked Hal if he could join his class. Hal said "No, the class was full" but he said Max could monitor the class in the back of the classroom. Max took him up on the offer and began observing the weekly class. During the class, Hal told his students that they should practice what they were learning by going to "live model" classes. Max began attending these classes where he learned how to draw figures. After a few months, Hal and Max became good friends. Hal was so impressed with Max's work that he offered Max the opportunity to teach at another location that Hal was opening in the San Fernando Valley. Max accepted the offer and began teaching his own art class. For Max, it was a quick jump from learning to teaching. Max then found that several of his students had to commute to his art class from the west end of the "Valley". To better serve this group of students, Max decided to relocate to another studio in Calabasas. Max continued teaching, and at this time he was producing very impressive portraits, both oil paintings and charcoal drawings from live models (Max never worked from photos). Max demonstrated real talent, and the style of his drawings and paintings were being compared to those of Nicolai Fechin. And, like Fechin, Max also had an interest in sculpting. One day, Max decided to design and cast a bronze owl sculpture to put in his Calabasas Fine Art Gallery. Later, someone approached Max when he was at the foundry and asked him about his success selling the owl sculpture. The individual who asked this question was convinced that there was a broader market for these sculptures and he ordered a dozen of the owl sculptures from Max. This encouraged Max to do more castings. Some of the new castings were antique sculptures he found and reproduced. As this new business grew, he decided to establish his own foundry, employing up to 15 workers. The business continued for many years, up until the late 1990's when Max got tired of the foundry business and sold it. Max, who was now in his 70's, decided to move on to his next venture as an artist, dedicating himself to doing the actual sculpting of original art. He loved the creativity of sculpting and he had his sculptures cast at local foundries, ironically the same ones that used to be his competition. Max was now fully engaged in his new artistic direction and, over time, he produced a large body of work. He created very impressive sculptures, including about 100 full-size sculptures. He sold some of these to high-end clientele, the Foundry at SLS Las Vegas, and to Hollywood studios. Even though Max now seemed to be totally in his element, he somehow also found time to continue to teach painting classes at the California Art Institute in Westlake Village in Los Angeles. At the institute, he specialized in figure work. Max continued to draw, paint and teach, but he says he stopped sculpting when he turned 90. Max produced four books showcasing his drawings and paintings. The first is "Faces, The Drawings of Max Turner", copyright 2000, that showcases nearly 100 of his portrait drawings. Within the "Acknowledgements" section, he lists Hal Reed and Joseph Nordmann, two former students of Nicolai Fechin. In 2006, Max produced his second book titled "Figures and Faces", reflecting not only portraits but also figure drawings and paintings. It is a wonderful book of Max's work, but it is currently difficult to find. The third book is titled "Faces 2, The Paintings and Drawings of Max Turner", copyright 2009, which includes 75 portrait paintings and drawings. In the "Preface" of this book, Max describes growing up in a small and isolated mining town during the Great Depression. He states that as a kid, he had little exposure of any culture or view of what the rest of the world was like. His neighbor was the trash collector and Max would sometimes go through his truck looking for anything of value. Among other things, he found magazines like Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping and Red Book, with covers that frequently showed drawings or paintings of faces. Max states that these images were the very first source of inspiration for him. He says that he began looking more carefully at people's faces and if they had character, he would draw them. By drawing them, Max says that he was making them part of his world, his world of "Faces". In 2018, Max published his newest book showcasing his drawings and paintings. It is titled "Max Turner's Figure Sketches". This softbound book includes 76 pages and over 120 drawings and paintings. In the Introduction, Max explains "I have found that when approaching the figure, one should begin with the gesture. After having captured the essence or feeling of the pose, one can then proceed to build on it." The figure sketches in this wonderful book reflect a Master's work that consistently captures the "gesture"-showing the emotion, movement and expression. Two more books are on the horizon for Max, both dealing with his passion for sculpting. His first, "The Sculpture of Max Turner" is a compilation of his commercial and noncommercial pieces throughout his career. The second, "Terra Cotta Sculpture by Max Turner" is a complete collection of figures done at the California Art Institute. These much anticipated books should be out later in 2018. Max now considers himself primarily a sculptor. But others in the art world are more than impressed with his drawings and paintings as well. His portraits are often described as having a Fechin-esque appearance, referring to the style of Nicolai Fechin. When Max observed those first art classes given by Hal Reed, it should be noted that Hal had previously been a student of the Russian/American Master Nicolai Fechin in the early to mid-1950's. In fact, Hal was a student in the last art class that Fechin taught before he unexpectedly died in 1955. Hal was so strongly influenced by Fechin that he later produced two 30-minute art instruction videos as part his Art Video Productions wherein he specifically described Fechin techniques that he learned in Fechin's class. The Fechin style and techniques were in play when Max later met Hal. Over the years, many of Max's art students, art collectors, gallery owners, as well as the Director of the Monterey Museum of Art have commented on the Fechin-esque qualities of Max's wonderful charcoal drawings and paintings. So, while Max may consider himself primarily a sculptor, his drawings and paintings are also impressive and very much sought after. When Nicolai Fechin died in 1955, three of the nine students in his last art class became life-long friends. Max subsequently became friends with not only Hal Reed, but also with prior Fechin students Joseph Nordmann and Albert Londraville...

Tears Of A Clown - Original Oil On Canvas Original oil painting depicting a close up portrait of a clown. The clown gazes to the left, with a single tear falling from his eye. Sig...

Long, Red-Haired Portrait of a Man - Acrylic on Paper in the style of Modigliani A bold contrasting portrait of a red-haired, topless man against a stark indigo background, by acclaimed bluegrass musician Katherine...

"I See a Robin," a figurative oil painting of a boy in a window by Veon Zentner (American, 20th Century). Presented in a rustic wooden frame. Signed "Zentner" lower left. Titled "I S...

Wonderful monotone figurative of clown wearing a top hat with a parrot by Alice Jean Small (American 1918-2009), c. 1970. Signed lower edge. Condition: Good; some wear around edges consistent with age/use; frame is rustic and shows minor age. Image size: 28"H x 22"W. Alice Jean Small was a trained artist, graduating from the University of Washington School of Fine Arts with a Master's Degree. She continued her studies, traveling around the world and settling in California's Monterey Peninsula. Alice Jean Small was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, on December 11, 1918. She studied art at the Derbyshire School of Art and she went on to obtain a Master of Fine Arts Degree in water color from the University of Washington School of Fine Arts. Following her graduation, she studied at many universities in both the United States as well as foreign countries, learning from artists such as Amedee Ozenfant, Emilio...