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Aaron Bohrod Figurative Paintings

American, 1907-1992
Aaron Bohrod's work has not been limited to one style or medium. Initially recognized as a regionalist painter of American scenes, particularly of his native Chicago, Bohrod later devoted himself to detailed still-life paintings rendered in the trompe l'oeil style. He also worked for several years in ceramics and wrote a book on pottery. Born in 1907, Bohrod began his studies at Chicago's Crane Junior College in 1925, and two years later enrolled in the Art Institute of Chicago. But it was at the Art Students League in New York City, from 1930 to 1932, that he studied under the man believed to be his most significant early influence, John Sloan. Sloan's romantic realism is reflected in the many depictions of Chicago life, which comprised most of Bohrod's early work. Under Sloan's tutelage, Bohrod came to subscribe to the belief that painters should find the subjects of their art in the immediate world around them. These paintings emphasized architecture unique to north Chicago and featured Chicagoans engaged in such everyday activities as working, playing or going to the theatre. The romantic aspect was conveyed by the use of misty colors, and the realism by attention to detail. In 1936, Bohrod won the Guggenheim Fellowship award in creative painting. It enabled him to travel the United States, producing similar regionalist paintings on a much broader range of subjects. Nevertheless, most of his early work centered on Chicago and the urban Midwest. In 1943, Bohrod was commissioned by editors of Life magazine to cover the battlefronts as a war correspondent and artist. Three years later, Bohrod was invited to become the Artist in Residence at the University of Wisconsin, a position that became vacant with the unexpected death of John Steuart Curry. He would remain at the University from 1948 to his retirement in 1973. Then, quite atypically, fantasy started to appear in his work. Elements of Surrealism, supposedly inspired by his concurrent involvement in ceramics with F. Carlton Ball, began influencing his landscapes. By 1953, Bohrod had completely ceased painting landscapes, turning instead to often symbolic still-life subjects. He abandoned his earlier romantic realism to paint in the luminous trompe l'oeil tradition of William Harnett. Bohrod continued to produce these meticulously crafted fantasies exclusively. While in his position at the University of Wisconsin, Bohrod painted covers for Time magazine and authored two books, A Pottery Sketch-book (1959) and A Decade of Still Life (1966), in which are produced many of his trompe l'oeil paintings.
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Artist: Aaron Bohrod
Oil on Masonite Painting Titled "Lobster Shack", by Aaron Bohrod, 1938

Oil on Masonite Painting Titled "Lobster Shack", by Aaron Bohrod, 1938

By Aaron Bohrod

Located in New York, NY

Aaron Bohrod, 1907-1992 Lobster Shack, 1938 Oil on masonite 16 x 20 inches Signed and dated ower left: Aaron Bohrod 1938 Bohrod-3 Provenance: Private estate, Rhode Island, 2004 Am...

Category

1930s Aaron Bohrod Figurative Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Oil

"Industrial Cityscape, Chicago" WPA Modernism Mid-Century Cityscape 20th Century
"Industrial Cityscape, Chicago" WPA Modernism Mid-Century Cityscape 20th Century

"Industrial Cityscape, Chicago" WPA Modernism Mid-Century Cityscape 20th Century

By Aaron Bohrod

Located in New York, NY

"Industrial Cityscape, Chicago" WPA Modernism Mid-Century Cityscape 20th Century Aaron Bohrod (American 1907 – 1992) Industrial Cityscape 20 x 16 inches Oil on board Signed lower ri...

Category

1930s American Modern Aaron Bohrod Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board

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Aaron Bohrod figurative paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Aaron Bohrod figurative paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Aaron Bohrod in paint, oil paint, board and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1930s and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Aaron Bohrod figurative paintings, so small editions measuring 19 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Mervin Jules, Emanuel Glicenstein Romano, and Harold Haydon. Aaron Bohrod figurative paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $12,800 and tops out at $85,000, while the average work can sell for $85,000.