Mid-20th Century Portrait Paintings

This work is remarkable for its intense dramatic lighting effects and wide-angle composition. Very few artists conceived and executed with acutely dramatic light in the arc of art hi...

Augustus Edwin John O.M. R.A. 1878-1961, was a Welsh born painter, draughtsman and etcher. He was the most important artist of his generation, his sister Gwen John was also an accom...

Signed lower right 'K. Buzzell Benepe' and dated 1936. A psychologically penetrating character study by this early California woman artist. Benepe captures the essential sensitivity of her subject as she gently cradles her doll while gazing at the viewer with both candor and charm. Katherine Buzzell Benepe first studied at the University of California in Los Angeles and, later, with Nicolai Fechin...

Oil Painting Portrait of Ashcan Artist John Sloan. Signed I. Holtz. The youngest of four children, Holtz was born and spent his early childhood in Skierniewice, Poland, a small town near Warsaw. His father was a hat maker and a furrier. In 1935, prior to World War II, when Holtz was ten years old, his family moved to Jerusalem, Israel, where they settled in the Geula neighborhood near Meah Shearim. Itzhak Holtz's passion for art began early. When he was five years old, in Poland, his father first drew a picture of a horse and sled in the snow for him. The young Holtz looked at the drawing and studied it in wonderment. From that moment on, Holtz remembers, he constantly begged his father to draw for him. His enthusiasm for art grew and Holtz longed to study art. In 1945, he enrolled at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, where he primarily studied lettering and poster work in a program geared toward commercial art Holtz became interested in painting, prompting him to move to New York City in 1950 to study at the Art Students League of New York under Robert Brackman and Harry Sternberg, and then at the National Academy of Design under Robert Philipp. Holtz has stated that his artwork, which primarily but not exclusively, depict scenes of Jewish spirituality and tradition, is driven by his Orthodox Jewish beliefs: "You have to live that religious life to fully capture it on canvas." He has been classified in the school of genre painting, often depicting street scenes of ordinary people in everyday Jewish life in the back alleys and markets of Jerusalem neighborhoods such as Me'ah Shearim and Geula; and in New York neighborhoods and hamlets such as Monsey, Boro Park and Williamsburg. Along with street scenes, his work includes portraits of scribes, tailors, cobblers and fishmongers, and images such as shtetls, lighthouses, and wedding scenes. He started out painting mostly portraits in order to support his family, before expanding to include street scenes. His beloved subject matter is painting scenes of Jewish life, his childhood memories when his mother took him along shopping for the Sabbath to the markets of Meah Shearim, has left a deep impression on him and influenced many of his works. Holtz has experimented in the abstract, but then reverted to representational and figurative art to which he devoted himself exclusively. His Israeli street scenes are said to combine “an affectionate recollection of the past with the brilliance of the color of modern Israel.” Holtz has stated that he struggled at first when he arrived to the USA because of financial reasons and because he only knew Polish, Yiddish and Hebrew, but then made good ties with his instructor who greatly influenced him Robert Philipp who helped him make friends and referred him to paint portraits. Examples of Holtz's work throughout the years include: Yerusalem Wedding (2010), depicting a Chuppa in Jerusalem on early evening, oil on canvas; The Funeral(1966), depicting five stoic Hasidim carrying a body on a bier over to a gravesite, with the people behind them crying, in charcoal on paper and oil on canvas; Rejoicing (1974), an image of religious men dancing, in felt pen and marker on paper; and the oil painting Shamash Learning in Shul (2003), a portrait of a pious Jew studying the Talmud inside a claustrophobic synagogue scene. Throughout the years Holtz has created hundreds of works in many art mediums, including, genre scenes, portraits, still lifes and landscape scenery, his works are sought after by art collectors worldwide, and he has been called the greatest living Jewish artist. It is said that no artist ever explored the Jewish subject like Holtz. Today some of his oil paintings have been commanding over $100,000. Holtz creates his scenes after researching locations, and often uses locals as models. He paints slowly and with great care, but with a swift Impressionistic style. The people in his portraits and scenes are generally more cheerful and optimistic than standard portraits of Hassidic individuals. He paints oils and watercolors, and also does felt pen, pastel, marker, ink and charcoal drawings, as well as woodcuts. His oil paintings typically have a brown hue, while his work with felt pen is often in sepia tones, and on some of his works he used very bright colors, with a strong emphasis on the interplay of light and shadow. He is heavily influenced by the ancient staircases and alleyways of Jerusalem, with its modest religious population, which has made a strong impression on him in his youth, the streets of Tzfat, and the works of Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer and Peter Bruegel, as well as Jewish artists Moritz Daniel Oppenheim...

An elegant oil portrait of a young Arab woman shown wearing a veil and gazing with candor and interest directly towards the viewer. Signed lower left, "Jan Hoowij" (Dutch-American, ...

The old west depicted in a graphic and dramatic manner. Paperback Novel Cover Painting Original Art (Avon, 1963). Work has a matted image area of 12.5" ...

Mario Tozzi (Fossombrone 1895 - Saint-Jean-du-Gard 1979), Figure of a Woman (1969) Oil painting on canvas 72 x 49.5 cm signed and dated lower right. On the back is the inscription,...

French Portrait by Y. Blanchon, French 1950's Impressionist oil on board, unframed painting: 18 x 15 inches provenance: from a large private collection of this artists work in North...

Work on wood

Bold portrait of an introspective circus clown. Rich colors. Detailed circus background. Oil on masonite. Signed Klotz. Dated 1950. Unfarmed. period sculpted artist sculpture Egyptian gold collection collector american large carved paris rome new york salon important provenance historical fine not signed. museum original unique rare american Emmett Kelly...

This is an original oil on velvet painting created c. 1942. Syd Cockell was an accomplished American illustrator during World War II.

Artist: Charles Cabot Daniels, American (1899 - 1953) Title: Young Boy - Kong Year: circa 1930 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed and dated Size: 20.5...

Watercolor on paper by French artist Marcel Gromaire depicting a Circus Clown. The image measures 12"h x 9 7/8"w and the work is in excellent condition. This item is neither matted ...

Signed lower right. Born in Mantorville, Minnesota, Arnold Blanch was a painter of scenes of social-realist American life with mystical overtones and a child-like seeming style. He was also a highly respected teacher, lecturer and visiting critic and was a spokesman for the art colony in Woodstock, New York. He was married to Lucile Blanch...

Lady in Gondola, Venice French/ Italian School, mid 20th century, indistinctly signed oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 39.5 x 28.75 inches provenance: private collection, Provence c...

Work on canvas Dimension with frame : 63 x 50 x 6.5 cm This captivating portrait shows a woman dressed in a pink blouse, highlighting a dark necklace that contrasts elegantly with th...

Josine Vignon (French 1922-2022) ...

Genre: Modern Subject: Hasidic Rabbi preaching in Synagogue Medium: Oil Surface: Board, size includes artist decorated frame Country: United States The imagery of Maurice Kish (189...

Overflight over the city. 1947, paper, mixed media, 23x20 cm Adolfs Zardins (1890 08 II Riga, Latvia – 1967 07 II Jurmala, Latvia), painter. Only in 1990 his relatives give his arti...

The Board measures 13.5 x 12.5 Ernest Hamlin Baker is one of America's greatest artist that no one has ever heard of. Take a look at his full body of work. If you haven't noticed, Er...

Genre: Modern Subject: Fiddler on the roof, Shtetl matchmaker Medium: Oil Surface: Board, size includes artist decorated frame Country: United States The imagery of Maurice Kish (18...

An exquisite mid 19th Century portrait in oil. The sitter is a rosy cheeked young girl with an uncertain stare. She seems to be caught in the awkward stage between childhood and woma...

In the mid-1960s Joseph Solman (American, 1909 - 2008) was commissioned to create portraits of the Begg family. This is a portrait of John Begg Sr., the patriarch of the mid-century ...

Original oil painting on canvas. Hand signed and dated on front by Ramon Santiago. Canvas is framed. Frame size approx 36.75 x 24.75 inches. Canvas size 36 x 24 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of Authenticity included. All reasonable offers will be considered. About the Artist: Ramon Santiago (American, b. 1943- 2001) began painting in 1961 while attending Mt. San Antonio College in California. Two years later he returned to Rochester to study art at Rochester Institute of Technology. He served with the United States Marine Corps...

At night. 1961. Paper, mixed media, 14x10 cm Adolfs Zardins (1890 08 II Riga, Latvia – 1967 07 II Jurmala, Latvia), painter. Only in 1990 his relatives give his artistic heritage to...

Stunning portrait with a killer smile by Golden Age of Illustration female Illustrator Zoë Mozert. Signed lower right. Framed under glass, silk matted and i...

Portrait of a Man by Jean Marc (French 1949-2019) signed with initials gouache paint/ Watercolor painting: 15.75 x 16 inches provenance: private collection, South of France Superb ...

Samuel Grodensky (1894-1974) "Hassidim" Hand signed and dated "Grodensky '62" u.l., Titled verso in pencil on stretcher 31" x 27" canvas , 35 1/2" x 31 1/2" framed. Large Fauvist Expressionist Jewish Family Oil Painting This is done in an Expressionist style in Fauvist colors. Influenced by the Judaic artists of the early Israeli...

Among the Flowers, c. 1970s Signed: Mcgrath (Lower, Right) Seated Girl in Garden Oil on Canvas 8" x 10" Housed in a 1 1/4" Frame Overall Size: 10 ...

Portrait by Josine Vignon (French 1922-2022) charcoal drawing drawing on paper, unframed paper: 9.5 x 7.5 inches stamped verso very good condition provenance: from the artists estate, France Josine Vignon (1922-2022) was a French artist living on the Rue Beautreillis in the Marais district of Paris. She painted with a beautiful style, largely influenced by the Impressionist and Post...

Adolfs Zardins (1890 08 II Riga, Latvia – 1967 07 II Jurmala, Latvia), painter. Only in 1990 his relatives give his artistic heritage to publicity. “I am 58, and in five Years my c...

Portrait of a Man in Green Jacket by Josine Vignon (French 1922-2022) stamped verso oil painting on canvas, unframed canvas: 18 x 13 inches very good condition provenance: from the...

Artist: Abraham Straski, Polish (1903 - 1987) Title: Untitled - Polish Rabbi Year: 1952 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed l.r. Image Size: 16 x 12 inches Frame Size: 26 x 20 inches

Cathleen S. Mann (American, 1896 - 1959) Signed: Cathleen Mann 1941 (Lower, Right) " Portrait of Maureen O'Sullivan ", 1941 Oil on Canvas 30" x 25" Housed in a 3 1/2" Period Fra...

Attributed to Jon Whitcomb (1906-1988) Illustration of Glamorous Young Woman, ca. 1950's. Tempera on illustration board, image measuring 9 x 13 inches. Board measuring 15 x 20 inc...

Evelyn (Raskin) Brackett (American, Born 1922) Signed: E. Brackett (Lower, Left) " Nude ", circa 1950s Oil on Board 10" x 8" Housed in a 1 1/4" Carved Frame with a 2 1/8" Line...

Artist: Donald Roy Purdy, American (1924 - ) Title: Profile of a Young Girl Year: circa 1960 Medium: Oil on Masonite, signed l.r. Size: 12 x 16 in. (30.48 x 40.64 cm) Frame Size: 19....

French character portrait. French school, mid-20th century Gouache paint on unframed paper. Image : 12 x 9.5 inches. Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait painting. Ideal for...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper signed lower corner Image : 12.5 x 9.5 inches Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait ...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper signed lower corner Image: 12.5 x 9.5 inches Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait pai...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper Image : 12. x 19.5 inches Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait painting. Ideal for ...

French character portrait French school, mid 20th century. Gouache paint on unframed paper. signed lower corner. Image : 12 x 9.25 inches.   Superbly decorative 1960's French portr...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper signed lower corner Image : 12 x 9.25 inches Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait p...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper Image : 11 x 10 inches Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait painting. Ideal for man...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper signed lower corner Image : 16.5 x 9.25 inches Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait...

Pair of French Character Portraits French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache on unframed paper Both stamped and named on the backs, with the artists initials written on both right hand...

French landscape by Bernard Labbe (French, mid-20th century) Original watercolour/ gouache painting on paper, mounted on board, unframed Size: 13 x 10 inches Condition: very good and...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper signed lower corner Image : 12.5 x 9.5 inches Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait pa...

Pair of French character portraits. French school, mid 20th century. Gouache on unframed paper. Both stamped and named on the backs, with the artists initials written on both right h...

Male Portrait by Bernard Labbe (French mid 20th century) Signed original watercolour/ gouache painting on board, unframed Size: 11 x 10.5 inches Condition: very good and ready to be ...

French character portrait. French school, mid-20th century. Gouache paint on unframed paper. signed lower corner. Image : 12.75 x 9.5 inches. Superbly decorative 1960's French por...

French Landscape by Bernard Labbe (French mid 20th century) original watercolour/ gouache painting on board, unframed size: 13.5 x 9.5 inches condition: very good and ready to be enj...

Pair of French character portraits. French school, mid 20th century. Gouache on unframed paper. Both stamped and named on the backs, with the artists initials written on the right ha...

French landscape by Bernard Labbe (French mid 20th century) Original watercolour/ gouache painting on board, unframed Size: 10 x 7 inches Condition: very good and ready to be enjoyed...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper signed lower corner Image : 12.5 x 9.75 inches Superbly decorative 1960's French portrai...

French character portrait. French school, mid-20th century. Gouache paint on unframed paper. signed lower corner. Image : 12 x 9.25 inches. Superbly decorative 1960's French portr...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper signed lower corner Image : 12 x 9.25 inches Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait ...

French character portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper signed lower corner Image : 12 x 9.5 inches. Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait p...

French character portrait. French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper signed lower corner and dated 1960 Image : 12 x 9.5 inches Superbly decorative 1960's Fren...

French Character Portrait French school, Mid 20th Century Gouache paint on unframed paper signed lower corner Image : 12 x 9.5 inches Superbly decorative 1960's French portrait p...