Skip to main content

Herndon Davis Art

1901-1962

Herndon Davis was an American artist, journalist, illustrator and painter who wasn’t recognized in his lifetime and not until recently. He was born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma of rancher parents. At fourteen, Davis moved himself to Kansas City, Missouri to take art lessons. He supported himself with unskilled labor jobs. From there, he went to Chicago and apprenticed as an engraver and commercial artist. In 1920, he joined the army and was stationed in Denver. Davis’ love for Colorado and Denver must have begun at that time. But first, he lived and worked in Washington, D.C., where he worked at the National War Collaege creating maps of China and Japan, and New York City, where he attended the National Academy of Design and Art Students League of New York while working at the New York Herald Tribune, Washington Times-Herald and Washington Daily News. In 1936, he moved to Denver, where he began to capture in paint and pencil notable people and landmarks of Denver and the west. Included in his subject matter were the notorious and the famous whether people or places. Davis is best known for his painting of the face of his wife on the barroom floor in Central City, Colorado. It was inspired by the poem The Face on the Barroom Floor and so it is titled. It wasn’t until after his death that friends were allowed to tell his beloved wife, Nita, was his model.

to
2
2
1
1940's American Modernism Painting by Colorado Artist Herndon Davis
1940's American Modernism Painting by Colorado Artist Herndon Davis

1940's American Modernism Painting by Colorado Artist Herndon Davis

By Herndon Davis

Located in Topeka, KS

Incredible 1940’s American Modernism or Social Realism painting by Colorado artist Herndon Davis depicting an industrial interior and workers. It is i...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Herndon Davis Red Rocks Colorado Oil Painting, American Modern Landscape
Herndon Davis Red Rocks Colorado Oil Painting, American Modern Landscape

Herndon Davis Red Rocks Colorado Oil Painting, American Modern Landscape

By Herndon Davis

Located in Denver, CO

A striking original oil on board painting by celebrated Colorado artist Herndon Davis (1901–1962), this richly textured landscape captures the dramatic beauty of Red Rocks Park near ...

Category

20th Century American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Oil

Related Items
Henry Gasser American Scene Realism Regionalism Mid-20th Century Modern WPA
Henry Gasser American Scene Realism Regionalism Mid-20th Century Modern WPA

Henry Gasser American Scene Realism Regionalism Mid-20th Century Modern WPA

Located in New York, NY

Henry Gasser American Scene Realism Regionalism Mid-20th Century Modern WPA Henry Martin Gasser (1909-1981) "Village in Snow" Oil on canvas laid on artist's board, c. 1930s 28 x 22...

Category

1930s American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

Head to Sea, Modernist sailing scene
Head to Sea, Modernist sailing scene

Head to Sea, Modernist sailing scene

By Ralph Eugene Della-Volpe

Located in New York, NY

A vibrant and yet romantic sailing scene which was a favorite series by Della-Volpe. His compelling colorist approach has made his works desirable as he was one of the few artists post-war to be representative in style like Milton Avery and Wolf Kahn. Head to Sea has the hallmark intense and lovely coloration for which Della-Volpe is known. He came out of Abstract Expressionism in the New York school but then pivoted, like Milton Avery to representational, colorist work. The frame is a silvered gold leaf float frame of quality and has a rubbed, antiqued surface...

Category

Early 2000s American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Oil, Board

"Winter" American Modernism WPA Regionalism Landscape  Mid-Century Magic Realism
"Winter" American Modernism WPA Regionalism Landscape  Mid-Century Magic Realism

"Winter" American Modernism WPA Regionalism Landscape Mid-Century Magic Realism

By Dale Nichols

Located in New York, NY

"Winter" American Modernism WPA Regionalism Landscape Mid-Century Magic Realism. 30 x 40 inches. Oil on canvas, c. 1960s, Signed lower right. As we list the painting now, the work is currently being cleaned, restored and a hand carved frame is being built. Additional photos will be uploaded as soon as possible. Our gallery, Helicline Fine Art, just launched our new digital exhibition: American Art: The WPA and Beyond. Three dozen paintings, works on paper and sculptures which are available here on 1stDibs. In person viewings can be arranged by appointment at our midtown Manhattan gallery. Provenance: "Winter" was originally purchased by Stanley Byer. Mr. Byer owned homes in Key West, New York City, and Washington, D.C. He purchased the painting from Dunning Auction in 1984 in Elgin, Illinois. Mr. Byer was related to Abraham Weiss from Florida. Saul Babbin, now deceased was a cousin of Mr. Weiss. I purchased the painting from Joy Babbin, Mr. Babbin's wife, now living in from New Mexico. Dale Nichols (1905 – 1995) Artist, printmaker, illustrator, watercolorist, designer, writer and lecturer, Nichols did paintings that reflected his rural background of Nebraska where he was born in David City, a small town. Although he did much sketching outdoors, most of his paintings were completed in his studio and often included "numerology, magic squares...

Category

1960s American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Emile Albert Gruppe Important Fall Landscape 40x30
Emile Albert Gruppe Important Fall Landscape 40x30

Emile Albert Gruppe Important Fall Landscape 40x30

By Emile Albert Gruppe

Located in Dallas, TX

Emile Albert Gruppe (1896-1978) Fall landscape Oil on canvas laid to canvas Signed lower right: Emile A. Gruppe Canvas: 40" H x 30" W Inches Framed: 48.25 x 38.25 Inches Very large ...

Category

1940s American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Oil

"Strike" American Scene Social Realism 1930s WPA Modern Industrial Landscape
"Strike" American Scene Social Realism 1930s WPA Modern Industrial Landscape

"Strike" American Scene Social Realism 1930s WPA Modern Industrial Landscape

By Karl Metzler

Located in New York, NY

"Strike" American Scene Social Realism 1930s WPA Modern Industrial Landscape Karl Metzler (1909-1995) "Strike" 26 1/4 x 30 1/4 inches Oil and gesso on masonite, c. 1930 Signed and t...

Category

1930s American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Masonite, Oil

“Washington Square Park, 1938” NYC Social Realism Female American Artist Oil
“Washington Square Park, 1938” NYC Social Realism Female American Artist Oil

“Washington Square Park, 1938” NYC Social Realism Female American Artist Oil

By Dorothy Eisner

Located in Yardley, PA

An exceptional, large, early work by American artist Dorothy Eisner (1906-1984). This painting was recently exhibited at Gracie Mansion in 2019 as part of “She Persists” - a show de...

Category

1930s American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Enamel on Masonite Abstract Painting by American Artist Rick Orr
Enamel on Masonite Abstract Painting by American Artist Rick Orr

Enamel on Masonite Abstract Painting by American Artist Rick Orr

By Rick Orr

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Original enamel on masonite abstract painting from "Edge of Tow" series by American listed artist Rick Orr. Dimensions: 40" high, 40"wide, 1"deep.

Category

2010s American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Enamel

Late Afternoon  - Modernist Mid-Century Midwest Oil Painting
Late Afternoon  - Modernist Mid-Century Midwest Oil Painting

Late Afternoon - Modernist Mid-Century Midwest Oil Painting

By William Schwartz

Located in Marco Island, FL

A quintessential American Scene landscape painted by the Chicago Modernist, William Schwartz. Workers in tilled fields surrounding a farmstead under dramatic skies. Painted in 1935...

Category

1930s American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

New York Skyline from Brooklyn Heights, Oil on Board, Mid-20th Century
New York Skyline from Brooklyn Heights, Oil on Board, Mid-20th Century

New York Skyline from Brooklyn Heights, Oil on Board, Mid-20th Century

By Francis Vandeveer Kughler

Located in New York, NY

FRANCIS VANDEVEER KUGHLER "New York Skyline C. 1940" - oil on Masonite, 30"x40" Unframed, Signed lower center Born in New York City in 1901, Francis Vandeveer Kughler attended Co...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Oil, Board

Abstract Folk Art Painting by Michael Davis
Abstract Folk Art Painting by Michael Davis

Abstract Folk Art Painting by Michael Davis

$2,800

H 38 in W 38 in D 2.25 in

Abstract Folk Art Painting by Michael Davis

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Abstract Folk Art painting on canvas by Michael Davis and dated 1976. Painting measures 38" wide, 2.25" deep and 38" high.

Category

1970s American Folk Art Vintage Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Canvas

Stylish Hawaiian Luau Oil Painting by Listed artist Mario Larrinaga (1895-1979)
Stylish Hawaiian Luau Oil Painting by Listed artist Mario Larrinaga (1895-1979)

Stylish Hawaiian Luau Oil Painting by Listed artist Mario Larrinaga (1895-1979)

Located in Baltimore, MD

Mario Larrinaga was born in Baja California in 1895 and moved with his brother to Los Angeles in 1909. He had no formal training in art, but had natural talent that was noticed by local movie studios. He was hired by Universal Studios as a designer, art director and creator of background scenes. He produced some of the background effects for King Kong in 1933. After a career in set design and illustration he focused on painting for pleasure in California, Mexico and Hawaii. He belonged to local art clubs and exhibited his works often. This stylized modernist work was likely created around 1960. It is oil on wood panel and of a horizontal format, 18” x 36”. It portrays a procession of seemingly Hawaiian natives...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Herndon Davis Art

Materials

Oil

Herndon Davis art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Herndon Davis art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Herndon Davis in oil paint, paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Herndon Davis art, so small editions measuring 18 inches across are available. Herndon Davis art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,250 and tops out at $1,250, while the average work can sell for $1,250.

Artists Similar to Herndon Davis