Born to a prominent family in Philadelphia on January 24, 1885, George Biddle put his interest in art aside to accommodate his family's wishes and study law. He graduated from Harvard University in 1908 and Harvard Law in 1911, becoming a member of the Philadelphia bar. However, by the end of that same year, Biddle abandoned law and began studying art at the Académie Julian in Paris. Biddle continued his studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts during 1912 and 1913. He returned to Europe in 1914, studying in Munich and then in Madrid, where he studied printmaking. Biddle also spent the summers of 1915 and 1916 painting Impressionist works in France before he enlisted in the army in 1917. Following World War I, Biddle experimented in sculpture and graphics in Tahiti for two years and then in France between 1924–26. In 1927, Biddle returned to the United States settling in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. The following year, he traveled through Mexico on a sketching trip with Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera. During the Great Depression, Biddle actively sought government funding for the arts. His correspondence with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was a former classmate at Groton Preparatory School and Harvard, resulted in the establishment of the Federal Arts Project of the Works Progress Administration. The Depression fueled Biddle's desire to create socially conscious art. He established himself as a Social Realist through powerful murals depicting poverty. The Tenement, which he created in 1935 for the Department of Justice Building in Washington, D.C., was his first federally commissioned mural. The project led to controversy as people deemed his depiction of poverty to be inartistic. In addition to his artwork, Biddle authored several art books including An Artist at War and An American Artist's Story and he contributed regularly to national art magazines. In 1937, Biddle wrote the introduction for Boardman Robinson: Ninety-Three Drawings which was published by the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, where he taught in 1936 and 1937. In addition to teaching in Colorado, Biddle later taught at the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, the American Academy in Rome and Saugatuck, Michigan. He served as a chairman of the U.S. War Artists Committee during World War II and in 1950, President Truman appointed him to the Fine Arts Commission for which he served a 14-year term. Biddle died on November 6, 1973, in Croton-on-Hudson.
original lithograph
By George Biddle
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original lithograph. This lithograph is from the rare 1950 "Improvisations" portfolio, published by the Artists Equity Association of New York on the occasion of the 1950 Spr...
Lithograph
Portrait of Helene Sardeau (The Artist’s Wife)
By George Biddle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
(Note: This work is part of our exhibition Connected by Creativity: WPA Era Works from the Collection of Leata and Edward Beatty Rowan) Fresco, 20 x 16 inches unframed, 22 x 18 inch...
Plaster, Mixed Media
Goat Herder's Wife
By George Biddle
Located in New York, NY
George Biddle (1885-1973), Goat Herder’s Wife, 1928, lithograph, signed in pencil lower right and titled and numbered (64/100) in pencil lower left margin [with the inscription ”Bidd...
Lithograph
Hombre! Que Sin Vergeunza!
By George Biddle
Located in New York, NY
George Biddle (1885-1973), Hombre! Que Sin Vergeunza!, 1928, lithograph, signed and dated in pencil lower right, titled and numbered lower left [also signed in plate lower left ”Biddle/1928/44]. References: Pennigar 78, Trotter 44. Edition 100. In excellent condition (never framed, without light or time staining), with wide margins, the full sheet, 9 3/4 x 13 3/4, the sheet 15 1/2 x 20 1/2 inches. Printed by George C. Miller. On cream wove paper with the FRANCE watermark. Archival mounting (mylar unattached mounting between acid-free board). A fine, fresh impression, in pristine condition. According to Pennigar the title translates roughly to “Buddy! Aren’t you ashamed of yourself!” The title refers to the composition: the well-groomed man with his foot up in the carriage passes a group of naked little boys...
Lithograph
Banana Grove
By George Biddle
Located in New York, NY
George Biddle (1885-1973), Banana Grove, lithograph, 1928. Signed, titled and numbered in pencil [also annotated in the plate “Biddle/1928, lower right “47). References: Pennigar 81, Trotter 47. In excellent condition, the full sheet, on cream wove BFK RIVES paper, with their (partial) watermark. 12 1/2 x 9, the sheet 20 x 16, archival mounting (non attached mylar hinging between acid free board, glassine cover). A fine fresh rich impression in pristine condition. After Groton, Harvard College...
Lithograph
Coffee Huskers
By George Biddle
Located in New York, NY
George Biddle (1885-1973), Coffee Huskers, 1928, lithograph, signed, titled and numbered [also inscribed ’43/Biddle/1928 in the plate]. Reference: Pennigar 77, Trotter 43. From the edition of 100, on Rives cream wove paper, with the Rives watermark. In excellent condition, probably never framed or matted, the full sheet, 13 1/4 x 9 3/4, the sheet 16 x 11 1/2 inches, archival mounting (mylar non-attached hinging between acid free boards glassine cover). A fine black impression. Biddle wrote of this lithograph, in 1943: “After scraping the tusche away…I worked back with a pensil (sic) and again with diamond. This all adds to the richness of texture and color.” This work produces a very sophisticated lithographic look, akin in some ways to drypoint work in etching. After Groton, Harvard College and Harvard Law (and several breakdowns) Biddle concluded that a conventional career in law was not for him; he decided on art, went to Paris, worked with Mary Cassatt and familiarized himself with modernist currents in art (as well as more traditional European art). After serving in WWI, and the dissolution of his marriage, he became interested in working outside of the European tradition (although his travels continued to include Europe, and he spent a period working under the influence of Jules Pascin in Paris in the mid-‘20’s). Coffee Huskers, like many of the Mexican and Haitian prints...
Lithograph
$489
H 16 in W 12 in
America impressionist portrait young boy 1937 Modern Figurative Oil Painting
Located in Buffalo, NY
A fantastic modern portrait of a young boy. This work is signed what appears to be Paul Sellers and dated 1937, but we have not found information on the artist. The work dated 1936...
Oil, Board
$275
H 6.5 in W 10 in
Yellow-breasted Rail Bird: Original 19th C. Audubon Hand-colored Lithograph
By John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 1st octavo edition John James Audubon hand-colored lithograph entitled "yellow-breasted Rail, Adult Male in Spring", No. 62, Plate 307, from Audubon's "Birds of America". It was lithographed, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen and published in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1841. It depicts an adult male yellow-breasted Rail bird on the left standing on a rock on the bank of a body of water, looking to the right, perhaps at something in the water or on an island on the right with trees. The landscape surrounding the bird is striking. This original 1st octavo edition hand-colored Audubon lithograph...
Lithograph
$2,250
H 28 in W 21.75 in D 0.05 in
Original 'The U. S. Marines Want You' vintage military recruiting poster
Located in Spokane, WA
Original vintage poster: The U.S. Marines Want You. This military vintage poster is archival linen-backed and in fine condition, ready to frame. There is no date, artist, or printer'...
Lithograph
$360Sale Price|28% Off
H 10.24 in W 12.21 in D 0.08 in
Hounds Gentlemen Please by Tom Carr - Engraving 26x31 cm
Located in Geneva, CH
Work on paper Ed: 63/75
Engraving
$1,575
H 14.88 in W 21.75 in
A Family of Moorhens & Lilly Pad: A 19th C. Hand-colored Lithograph by Gould
By John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter
Located in Alamo, CA
This is an original 19th century hand-colored folio-sized lithograph entitled "Gallinula Chloropus" (Moorhen) by John Gould, published in his "Birds of Great Britain", published in London between 1862 and 1873. The print, which was drawn by Gould and Henry Richter and lithographed by Walter & Cohn, depicts a family of Moorhens, including two adults and six babies in a beautiful landscape. The adults are in the water and the babies are lying on the leaves a flowering lilly pad. This striking Gould hand-colored moorhen family lithograph is augmented with gum-arabic paint. The sheet measures 14.88" high and 21.75" wide. It is in excellent condition, other than a spot in the upper portion of the right margin and two small spots at the edge of the lower margin on the left. The original descriptive text pages from Gould's 19th century publication are included. There are several other unframed Gould hummingbird lithographs available on our 1stdibs and InCollect storefronts. Two or more of these striking lithographs would make an attractive display grouping. A discount is available for purchase of a set depending on the number. These additional Gould hummingbirds may be viewed by typing Timeless Intaglio...
Lithograph
Meditation and Minou
By Will Barnet
Located in Buffalo, NY
Artist: Will Barnet, American (1911 - 2012) Title: Meditation and Minou Year: 1980 Medium: Lithograph and Serigraph on BFK Rives, signed and numbered in pencil Edition: 40/150
Archival Paper, Lithograph
$2,675
H 6.5 in W 10.13 in
"Bald Eagle", an Original Audubon Hand-colored First Edition Lithograph
By After John James Audubon
Located in Alamo, CA
An original rare and extremely collectible first octavo edition John James Audubon hand-colored royal octavo lithograph entitled "White-headed Sea Eagle or Bald Eagle", No. 3, Plate ...
Lithograph
$3,950
H 20 in W 18 in D 2 in
"Georgia Moonshiner, c. 1935" by Athos Menaboni (1895-1990) American WPA Era Oil
Located in Yardley, PA
A fantastic WPA-era painting of a Georgia moonshiner by famed Italian-American artist Athos Menaboni (1895-1990). This work depicts an older man sporting a brown hat, brown jacket, ...
Masonite, Oil
$6,500
H 40.25 in W 48 in D 2 in
“Daguerreotype Dandies, c. 1937” Tressa Benson Regionalist American Maine Oil
Located in Yardley, PA
About this work: “Daguerreotype Dandies, c. 1937” by Tressa Benson (American, 1896-1987). Painted with the charm of a rediscovered family photo, this wonderfully eccentric work by B...
Canvas, Oil
$1,200
H 30 in W 20 in D 0.05 in
Original "Clear the Way!! Buy Bonds Fourth Liberty Loan, vintage poster, 1917
By Howard Chandler Christy
Located in Spokane, WA
Original "Clear the Way !!" Buy Bonds Fourth Liberty Loan vintage poster.. With Lady Liberty holding the U. S. Flag above the soldiers prepari...
Lithograph
$950
H 20.5 in W 31.5 in
Griffon With Woodcock original signed etching by Leon Danchin
By Leon Danchin
Located in Paonia, CO
Griffon With Woodcock is an original etching by Leon Danchin showing a Griffon in a field pointing at a Woodcock trying to hide in the brush. This color etching is in good conditi...
Etching
$2,350
H 38.5 in W 27.5 in D 0.3 in
Original 1918 Tell That To The Marines vintage World War 1 poster linen backed
By James Montgomery Flagg
Located in Spokane, WA
Original WWI James Montgomery Flagg Poster — “Tell That to the Marines!” (1918) — Rare Vintage Patriotic Artwork—archival linen backing and ready to frame. The poster edge was trimmed to 38.5 x 27.5 inches. Without the trim, the poster would grade as excellent (grade A), but with the trim, it is listed as B+. This is a rare and original World War I propaganda poster created by renowned American artist James Montgomery Flagg, famous for the iconic “I Want YOU for U.S. Army” Uncle Sam poster...
Lithograph
Winter (Winter on the Hudson)
By George Biddle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This work is part of our exhibition America Coast to Coast: Artists of the 1930s Winter or Winter on the Hudson, 1927, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, 36 x 36 inches, ...
Oil
Sold
H 22.5 in W 26.5 in D 1.5 in
Hooverville by Day (Colorado), 1940s Signed Oil Landscape Painting Neighborhood
By George Biddle
Located in Denver, CO
1940s oil on canvas painting by George Biddle (1885-1973) titled "Hooverville by Day (Colorado)". Signed and dated by the artist in the lower left corner, titled verso. Painting depi...
Canvas, Oil
River Life, Haiti
By George Biddle
Located in New York, NY
George Biddle (1885-1973), River Life, Haiti, 1928, lithograph, signed and dated in pencil lower right margin, titled and numbered lower left margin. Reference: Pennigar 84, Trotter ...
Lithograph
POOR WHITES
By George Biddle
Located in Santa Monica, CA
GEORGE BIDDLE (1885 - 1973) POOR WHITES, 1932 (Pennigar 104) Lithograph, signed and titled in pencil edition. 40. Image 11 x 14 1/4 inches, sheet 14 x 19 5/8 inches.
Lithograph
Sold
H 12 in W 12.5 in
Polley Pulque! (Mexican beer like beverage that is cactus based from WPA era)
By George Biddle
Located in New Orleans, LA
An original lithograph signed, titled and numbered in pencil. This impression is #28 out of an edition of 50. Mexicans have been brewing pulque from the juice of cactus-like maguey plants for centuries, but the viscous, beer-like beverage fell out of favor starting in the 1970s as pulque got a bad reputation as a peasant's drink. The nutrient-rich drink is making a comeback among a new generation of Mexicans. Born on January 24, 1885 in Philadelphia, George Biddle received his B.A. from Harvard where he then completed his doctorate in law. He received art instruction at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, at the Académie Julian in Paris and then in Munich. During the first world war, Biddle lived in Giverny (1915-16) where he painted outdoor nudes...
Lithograph
Sold
H 15 in W 18 in
Grand Central Station NYC Modernism WPA Industrial Transportation Depression Era
By George Biddle
Located in New York, NY
Artist George Biddle (1885-1973) drew this 9 x 12 inch mixed media on paper, "Grand Central Station" in 1933. Depicting the waiting area in the great New York City transportation hub...
Ink, Watercolor, Gouache, Rag Paper
The Expectant Thistles
By George Biddle
Located in New York, NY
George Biddle (1885-1973), The Expectant Thistles, 1928, lithograph, signed and dated in pencil lower right, titled and numbered in pencil lower left [also inscribed in the plate low...
Lithograph
Industrial Scene
By George Biddle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
GEORGE BIDDLE "INDUSTRIAL SCENE" OIL ON CANVASBOARD, SIGNED AMERICAN, C.1930 16 X 20 INCHES George Biddle 1885-1973 George Biddle, sculptor, painter and graphic artist and illustrator was born in Philadelphia in 1885. Biddle's early academic schooling was "constantly at war with natural creative instincts, and was possibly the cause for his two early breakdowns, at sixteen, and again at twenty-three." Biddle got an A.B. and LL.D. degree from Harvard and at the time accepted that he, like other Biddle's before him would follow in the tradition of the famous Biddle family of lawyers. He passed the state bar exams at the age of twenty-six, and at the very same time, much to the chagrin of his family, "at last determined to become a painter" the war within was over. He studied in Paris, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (two years) and Munich. Biddle also studied with Ole Nordmark. He stated "I gobbled up museums, French impressionism, cubism, futurism, the Old Masters; I copied Valequez in Madrid, Rubens in Munich; I fell under the spell of Mary Cassatt's' passion and integrity, and through her eyes I was influenced by Degas. I was desperately in earnest to overcome my late start." The onset of the World War, in which Biddle served for two years, was another setback the artist had to overcome for he was already thirty-four and still a student. Undeterred Biddle turned at first to Europe then the tropics for inspiration and spent two years in Polynesia toiling with failed attempts at expressionistic painting. He then went to Paris to further experiment with stone and wood, and modeled in clay. He cut block prints and made designs for marquetry, embroidery, stitch work and pottery. Of those years that he regarded as unhappy, he wrote in his autobiography: "I began to feel how different from our own is the French mentality; and I realized how actually different in motivation and content is our own best American art." He returned to America in 1922 at the age of thirty-seven. In the early summer of 1930, he traveled to Charleston, South Carolina and made ink and watercolor sketches that he later transformed into oil paintings and lithographs. During the mid thirties Biddle settled in Croton-on-Hudson with his second wife where he remained for the rest of his life. Biddle used his friendship with Franklin Roosevelt to initiate the ambitious Federal Art Project, later known as the W.P.A., that employed artists of all sorts. Biddle completed murals for the New Brunswick, NJ, post office; Department of Justice...
Oil