1940s Art

"Men in Barracks" WPA Mid 20th Century American Scene Realism Gay Modernism WWII. 18 x 24 inches Watercolor on paper. c. 1940s. Signed lower right. BIO ...

6117 Rome flower market Image size 16x11.5"

Medium: original etching. Printed in 1946 at the atelier Quesneville on BFK Rives paper and published in a limited edition of 300 for the "Alternance" portfolio (a collective art and...

An accomplished American Scene painter, Clyde Singer successfully captured everyday life during his long career. A unique aspect of American life is depicted in this painting, entitl...

Untitled, Still Life of Shell Graphite on paper, 1945-1951 Signed lower right in pencil "Bisttram" (see photo) Condition: Excellent Sheet size: 9.63 x 7 .5 inches EMIL BISTTRAM (189...

This exquisite engraving after Marie Laurencin (1883-1956), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the folio Dialogue sur la Danse (Dialogue on the Dance), originates from the 1949 editi...

Figure of a horse , French 1940's , on a marble base appears unsigned finely carved, beautiful rendering, nice patina

George Platt Lynes 1948 Photograph #1 of Balanchine Ballet ‘Orpheus’. George Platt Lynes rare original vintage 1948 gelatin silver photograph (dated by the NY City Public Library) of nude dancers Francisco Moncion and Nicholas Magallanes in George Balanchine's iconic mid-20th Century ballet 'Orpheus'. Stamped on verso in dark blue ink at upper center, "GEORGE PLATT LYNES/145 EAST 52 STREET NEW YORK”. Photo shoot took place in NYC. Costumes and Set by ISAMU NAGUCHI. Photo is 7 5/8 x 9 1/4 inches, soft satin finish in excellent condition. This photograph is from Francisco Moncion's original collection given to him by George Platt Lyons. It is one of 14 different poses in the 'Orpheus' series. 8 different photographs are remaining for sale and are available on request. All are original Platt Lyons gelatin silver prints original to Moncion's collection and are stamped by the photographer. Photographs from this celebrated series are in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC), Museum of Modern Art (MOMA, NYC), the NYC Public Library, and many university art archives. George Platt Lynes (1907–1955), was a gregarious American portrait, dance, fashion, and male nude photographer whose career spanned the late 1920s through the early 1950s. From age eighteen, Lynes entered the cosmopolitan world of the American expatriate community in Paris when he became acquainted with the salon of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. He began photographing authors like Stein, Jean Cocteau, André Gide, and Colette and soon established himself as one of the premier fashion photographers in the Condé Nast stable, documenting the ballet companies of George Balanchine/Lincoln Kirstein, and pursuing a private obsession with seductive images of young male nudes rarely published in his lifetime. Orpheus represents a major 20th Century artistic collaboration between composer Igor Stravinsky, choreographer George Ballanchine, and artist/designer Isamu Naguchi. Orpheus is a thirty-minute neoclassical ballet composed by Igor Stravinsky in collaboration with choreographer George Balanchine in Hollywood, California in 1947. The work was commissioned by Ballet Society, later renamed New York City Ballet, which Balanchine founded with Lincoln Kirstein. Sets and costumes were created by Isamu Noguchi. Noguchi’s lyre harp from the production became the symbol of the New York City Ballet. Francisco Moncion (July 6, 1918 – April 1, 1995) was a charter member of the New York City Ballet. Over the course of his forty year career, choreographers George Balanchine, and Jerome Robbins in the New York City Ballet created 22 major roles for Moncion including the Dark Angel...

God and the Four Evangelists ("Fool's Concert") - 1943 Linocut on Paper Leopoldo Méndez (Mexico City, Mexico, 1902–1969) "Fool's Concert" (from the portfolio "25 Prints of Leopoldo ...

Title: Virgin Mary and Child Jesus Artist: Francisco Ribera Gómez (1907-1990) Technique: Oil on canvas Dimensions: 31.9 x 25.6 inches (unframed) Date of creation: 1942 Style: Classical Academicism with Renaissance influences Description of the Artwork The painting depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Child Jesus in a tender and intimate moment. Warm colors, primarily reds, greens, and soft flesh tones, enhance the devotional nature of the scene. The use of golden halos, symbolizing sanctity, along with serene and realistic expressions, directly connects with the Renaissance pictorial tradition. The style belongs to classical academicism, characterized by a balanced composition, meticulous drawing, and a masterful use of chiaroscuro to give volume and depth to the figures. The detailed rendering of the flesh tones and draperies amplifies the spirituality and solemnity of the piece, evoking the works of great masters such as Raphael and Murillo. Artist's Biography Francisco Ribera Gómez (1907-1990) was a prominent 20th-century Spanish painter known for his depictions of religious scenes, female portraits, and costumbrist works. Trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, Ribera Gómez received numerous accolades and was regarded as one of the great exponents of Spanish academicism. His work combines a rigorous technical foundation with luminous sensitivity and an idealized sense of beauty. Influences and Comparisons Francisco Ribera Gómez's work can be compared to other academic and religious artists who share a similar aesthetic: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo: In the emotional and approachable treatment of religious themes. William-Adolphe Bouguereau: For the idealization of human figures and technical mastery. Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio): For harmonious composition and the depiction of the Virgin Mary. Within the Spanish tradition, his style recalls Eduardo Rosales...

Ricard Opisso i Sala – “Soldiers Flirting in the Park” – Oil on Canvas, 75 × 101 cm (29.5 × 39.7 in) Artist: Ricard Opisso i Sala (1880–1966) Title: Soldiers Flirting in the Park Te...

5-3536 Chinese Landscape reverse oil Painting on glass with gilt detailing Set in a gilt wood frame Image size 9.5x7.5"

Medium: original lithograph. Printed in Paris by Mourlot and published by Pierre à Feu and Maeght Editeur for the Marcel Duchamp / André Breton project "Surréalisme en 1947". Issued ...

This exquisite lithograph after Gerald Cooper (1898–1975), titled Striped Lily, S.P.12., originates from the School Prints Ltd. series, published by School Prints Ltd., London, under...

Oil on canvas. Signed in oil, lower right corner.

Step into the enigmatic world of abstract art with this captivating original oil painting from 1945. This masterpiece, signed with a mysterious monogram by an unknown artist, embodie...

ANTON SCHUTZ MANHATTAN c 1940 Etching, signed in pencil, edition 100, no. 15/100. On thin simili-japan paper. Very slight toning around plate mark. Remnants of old tape on verso, s...

A captivating 1944 oil on board, still-life painting of the artist's studio by Harold Haydon. The painting is framed in a dark brown, painted wood frame. Artwork size: 10" x 13 1...

This exquisite halftone print after Alfred Stieglitz (1864–1946), titled Equivalent, Series 107, originates from the 1947 folio Stieglitz Memorial Portfolio, 1864–1946. Published by ...

Vintage American modernist oil painting. Oil on board. Signed. Framed. Provenance from a Sag Harbor, NY collection. Measuring: 20 by 16 inches overall. Handsomely framed in white wo...

Nathan Hoffman Brighton Beach, July 31, 1946 Signed, dated, and estate stamped on the reverse Oil on artist's board 10 x 13 1/2 inches Provenance: Esta...

Destiny's Path, Hawaii - Surreal Mid Century Hawaiian Figurative Abstract Symbolistic and romantic 1940s surreal figurative of pastel orange figure...

Beautifully executed original watercolor by French artist Fernand Guignier of a street scene in Montmartre, Paris. Signed lower right and dated 1949. Titled lower left, “Montmartre”. Fernand Guignier was a student of the sculptors Emil Derré and Jean-Antoine Injalbert at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris . Between 1926 and 1960 he took part in the Salon des Artistes Français in the Palais de Tokyo. The watercolor is housed in its original off white wood frame. Under glass. Condition is very good. Overall framed measurements are 18.25 by 16.5 inches. Provenance: A Sarasota, Florida collector. Fernand Guignier Born: 1902 Died: 1972 Known for: Paris street scene watercolor...

A charming, vibrant, early Mexican city street scene by famed Chicago Modern artist Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Depicting a quiet, picturesque view of the rooftops and cathedral...

East River (Untitled), c. 1940s, oil on canvas signed lower right, 18 x 24 inches Isabella Markell was a painter, etcher, and sculptor, who is best known for her New York City scen...

Henri Matisse (1869-1954) Woman face, 1946 Original lithograph Unsigned Edition of 200 copies On Rives vellum size 25 x 18 cm REFERENCE : Catalog raisonné Duthuit 25 Very good con...

Original 1942 Linen-Backed One-Sheet Movie Poster for "Ghost Town Law" The Rough Riders Series Starring Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, and Raymond Hatton. This striking original one-sheet movie poster from 1942 promotes "Ghost Town Law," the fifth entry in Monogram Pictures' popular "Rough Riders" Western film series. Measuring approximately 27 x 41 inches (standard one-sheet size), the poster features vibrant lithography on a bold yellow background, dramatic red title lettering for "The Rough Riders," and an illustrated scene of the three stars—Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, and Raymond Hatton—standing with their horses in a rugged desert landscape, guns at the ready. The artwork captures the essence of classic B-Western adventure, with the film's subtitle prominently displayed in quotes: "Ghost Town Law." Produced by Monogram Pictures and directed by Howard Bretherton, this film follows the Rough Riders trio as U.S. Marshals investigating murders in a haunted mining town overrun by outlaws, blending action, mystery, and frontier justice. Professionally linen-backed for preservation, this poster is in very good vintage condition, with minor fold restorations, light edge wear, and rich color retention, underscoring its archival quality. No major tears, pinholes, or fading are present, making it a desirable collector's piece for fans of early Hollywood Westerns or Buck Jones memorabilia. Buck Jones, a silent-era star who transitioned to talkies, tragically died in the Cocoanut Grove fire later in 1942, adding historical poignancy to posters from his final films. This example originates from the U.S. release and bears the classic Monogram logo, evoking the era of Saturday matinee serials and the golden age of cowboy cinema. History of the Origins of the Rough Riders The "Rough Riders" name draws on the legendary 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, formed in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Recruited by Theodore Roosevelt (then Assistant Secretary of the Navy) and initially commanded by Colonel Leonard Wood...

Pablo PICASSO Carmen, Portrait of a Woman, 1949 Original burin engraving (Atelier Lacourière, Paris) Unsigned On Montval wove paper 33 x 26 cm (12.9 x 10.2 in) REFERENCES : - Cata...

Mid Century Sierra Mountain Lake Landscape Sweeping mid-century landscape of a lake and snow-capped mountains by Lillian Josephine Heath (American, 1864-1961). A gigantic, snow-cove...

This exquisite lithograph by Pierre Bonnard (1867–1947), titled Sans titre (Untitled), from the album Pierre Bonnard, Correspondances, originates from the 1944 edition published by E...

Paris is an original drawing in pencil on paper realized by an anonymous artist of the XX century. The State of preservation is very good. Sheet dime...

Cosmos Color woodcut with gauffage (embossing), January 1940 Unsigned (as usual) Publisher: Takemura Hideo (active Yokohama 1926-1940) Condition: excellent Image size: 14 3/8 x 9 5/8 inches Provenance: Robert O. Muller Estate Biography Hodo Nishimura...

5109 Japanese peasant worker Set in custom wood frame Signed lower right Image size 23.5x19.5

A diminutive and charming still life painting of an antique French porcelain pitcher by notable stage set, costume and fashion designer, Andr...

When you enter visually into the sumptuous scene captured in this painting, the unknown artist is playing with you. They are teasing you to slightly suspend your careful awareness of...

Artist born in Vienna, Austria in 1887. Died in 1970 in Geneva. Work on canvas

This evocative 1930s–1940s vintage oil painting by Denver modernist Paul K. Smith depicts a timeless New Mexico adobe church, likely inspired by the iconic San ...

Dorothy Rivo Untitled (Bridge Tower), c. 1960s–70s Acrylic on paper, floated in a mat Framed dimensions: 30 in. H × 24 in. W Contemporary walnut or black wood frame with white archiv...

Signed lower right, 'Kunffy' for Lajos Kunffy (Hungarian, 1869-1962); additionally titled, verso, 'Budapest 1942, A váci utca ...' A Hungarian winter landscape showing a birds-eye v...

Oil Painting of River Forest Landscape in Ireland by 20th Century Post War Irish Artist, Tobias Everet Spence Art measures 20 x 16 inches Frame measures in...

3830 Oil on canvas streets of old Paris Image size 8x10"

Fishing Schooners and Sailboats at a dock, "Fischerschoner und Segelboote an einem Dock" by Rudolph Guba (German/American, 1884-1950) Impasto work which depicts several sailing ves...

This painting is part of our exhibition America Coast to Coast: Artists of the 1930s Street Cleaners, c. 1940s, oil on canvas, signed lower right, 28 ¾ x 42 inches, Gallery Z...

Original 1947 Paris 1900 lithographic movie poster by the artist Raymond Peynet. The poster had originally been folded, and there is some wrinkling at the bottom edge of the poste...

In the golden age of air travel, Air France soared to new heights as a symbol of elegance and adventure. The airline's promotional efforts were often complemented by captivating trav...

A ca. 1940 etching of a view of the Manhattan skyline by artist Nat Lowell. Signed and titled in pencil, ca. 1940. Artworks size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/4". Arc...

John Steuart Curry "Cockfight in Cuba," 1946 oil on canvas Image: 38.25 x 46.25 in Frame: 43.75 x 51.5 in Signed on reverse with initials JSC on lower right stretcher bar John Steu...

This exquisite lithograph by Georges Rouault (1871–1958), titled Pierrot Noir (Black Pierrot), from the album Georges Rouault, Divertissement, originates from the 1943 edition publis...

"Coney Island" Brooklyn NYC Amusement Park Mid-century American Scene WPA Modern Ludwig Bemelmans (1898 – 1962), “Coney Island" 35 x 27 inches Oil on board Signed lower right Origi...

Oil on canvas. Framed. Image size, 18H x 24L.

A unique oil painting on canvas signed by Paul Lambert (1910–1970), a renowned French artist celebrated for his evocative portrayals of Parisian landscapes. This rare piece exemplifi...

Vintage post impressionist landscape oil painting. Oil on canvas. Framed. Signed. In excellent original condition. Handsomely framed in a wood molding. Excellent condition, read...

A stylish, vintage, 1940s fashion study featuring elegant designs for women's lounge wear. Artwork size: 11 x 8 1/2 inches. Archivally matted to 16 x 12 inches. Provenance: Corn...

This original 1947 poster was created for the exhibition of Henri Matisse’s legendary art book "Jazz", published by Tériade. Held at the renowned Pierre Berès gallery in Paris from D...

Medium: lithograph (after the original Edouard Vuillard lithograph). Printed on Renage wove paper in 1948 by the atelier Mourlot and published in an edition of 2500. Image size: 11 1...

This gorgeous porcelain sculpture from Hutschenreuther porcelain is of two galloping horses, sculpted in exquisite detail and signed by the sculptor, Max Hermann Fritz...

Tempura on heavy paper, signed and dated 1945 lower left. The piece measures 23" x 30" including the frame and presents very well overall. Provenance: Willard Gallery, NYC Brad...

This exquisite zincograph by Pablo Picasso (1881–1973), titled Trois baigneurs (Three Bathers), from the album Le Chevre-Feuille (The Honeysuckle), originates from the 1943 edition p...

Charles Quest, 'Underwater', 1948, chiaroscuro wood engraving, edition 12. Signed, titled, dated and numbered '3/12' in pencil. A fine, richly-inked impression, in dark brown and warm black, on off-white wove paper, with full margins (5/8 to 1 1/2 inch), in excellent condition. Scarce. ABOUT THE ARTIST Charles Quest, painter, printmaker, and fine art instructor, worked in various mediums, including mosaic, stained glass, mural painting, and sculpture. Quest grew up in St. Louis, his talent evident as a teenager when he began copying the works of masters such as Michelangelo on his bedroom walls. He studied at the Washington University School of Fine Arts, where he later taught from 1944 to 1971. He traveled to Europe after his graduation in 1929 and studied at La Grande Chaumière and Academie Colarossi, Paris, continuing to draw inspiration from the works of the Old Masters. After returning to St. Louis, Quest received several commissions to paint murals in public buildings, schools, and churches, including one from Joseph Cardinal Ritter, to paint a replica of Velasquez's Crucifixion over the main altar of the Old Cathedral in St. Louis. Quest soon became interested in the woodcut medium, which he learned through his study of J. J. Lankes' A Woodcut Manual (1932) and Paul Landacre's articles in American Artist magazine ‘since no artists in St. Louis were working in wood’ at that time. Quest also revealed that for him, wood cutting and engraving were ‘more enjoyable than any other means of expression.’ In the late 1940s, his graphic works began attracting critical attention—several of his woodcuts won prizes and were acquired by major American and European museums. His wood engraving entitled ‘Lovers’ was included in the American Federation of Art's traveling print exhibition in 1947. Two years later, Quest's two prize-winning prints, ‘Still Life with Grindstone’ and ‘Break Forth into Singing’, were exhibited in major American museums in a traveling show organized by the Philadelphia Print Club. His work was included in the Chicago Art Institute's exhibition, ‘Woodcut Through Six Centuries’, and the print ‘Still Life with Vise’ was purchased by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. In 1951 he was invited by artist-Curator Jacob Kainen to exhibit thirty wood engravings and color woodcuts in a one-person show at the Smithsonian's National Museum (now known as the American History Museum). Kainen's press release praised the ‘technical refinement’ of Quest's work: ‘He obtains a great variety of textural effects through the use of the graver, and these dense or transparent grays are set off against whites or blacks to achieve sparkling results. His work has the handsome qualities characteristic of the craftsman and designer.’ At the time of the Smithsonian exhibition, Quest's work was represented by three New York galleries in addition to one in his home town. He had won 38 prizes, and his prints were in the collections of the Library of Congress, the Chicago Art Institute, the Metropolitan Museum, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In cooperation with the Art in Embassies program, his color woodcuts were displayed at the American Embassy in Paris in 1951. Recognition at home came in 1955 with his first solo exhibition in St. Louis. Press coverage of the show heralded the ‘growth of graphic arts toward rivaling painting and sculpture as a major independent medium’. An exhibition of his prints at the Bethesda Art Gallery in 1983 attracted Curator Emeritus Joseph A. Haller, S.J., who began purchasing his work for Georgetown University's collection. In 1990 Georgetown University Library's Special Collections Division was the recipient of a large body of Quest's work, including prints, drawings, paintings, sculpture, stained glass, and his archive of correspondence and professional memorabilia. These extensive holdings, including some 260 of his fine prints, provide a rich opportunity for further study and appreciation of this versatile and not-to-be-forgotten mid-Western American artist...

This striking original 1949 gouache and wax painting, titled "Fetishes", is a powerful work by acclaimed New Mexico modernist Howard Schleeter (1903–1976). Rich with symbolic abstrac...