John Atherton Figurative Paintings

As the artist states about this painting: "I first photographed this farm because it had one of the last living Elm trees in our area. Most began dying in the 70's and there are very...

This mural study is part of our exhibition America Coast to Coast: Artists of the 1930s Industry and Commerce, 1936, tempera on panel, 16 ½ x 39 ½ inches, signed verso “John Ballator, Portland Ore.” provenance includes: J.C. Penney Company, represented by Russell Tether Fine Arts Assoc.; presented in a newer wood frame About the Painting Industry and Commerce is a prime example of WPA Era muralism. Like a Mediaeval alter, this mural study is filled with icons, but the images of saints and martyrs are replaced with symbols of America's gospel of prosperity through capitalism. Industry and Commerce has a strong narrative quality with vignettes filling the entire surface. Extraction, logistics, design, power generation, and manufacturing for printing, chemicals, automobiles and metal products are all represented. To eliminate any doubt about the mural's themes, Ballator letters a description into the bottom of the study. Ballator also presents an idealized version of industrial cooperation, as his workers, lab-coated technicians and tie-wearing managers work harmoniously toward a common goal in the tidy and neatly designed environments. Although far from the reality of most industrial spaces, Ballator's study reflects the idealized and morale boosting tone that many mural projects adopted during the Great Depression. About the Artist John R Ballator achieved success as a muralist, lithographer, and teacher during the Great Depression. Born in Oregon, he studied at the Portland Museum Art School, the University of Oregon and at Yale University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Art. In 1936, Ballator was commissioned to paint a mural panel for the new Department of Justice Building in Washington DC, an important project that spanned five years with several dozen artists contributing a total of sixty-eight designs. Ballator completed murals for the St. Johns Post Office and Franklin High School, both in Portland, Oregon. He also contributed to the 1938 murals at Nathan Hale School in New Haven, Connecticut. During the late 1930s, Ballator taught art for several years at Washburn College in Topeka, Kanas, where he completed a mural for the Menninger Arts & Craft Shop before accepting a professorship at Hollins College...

Rabbit Hunters, egg tempera on Masonite, 12 x 9 inches, 1947, signed and dated lower left, signed, titled and dated verso “Rabbit Hunters Egg Tempera Roger Medearis 1947,” exhibited at Medearis' solo show at Kende Galleries, New York, in 1949 (Medearis’ record book, a copy of which is held by Vose Galleries in Boston, MA, indicates this is painting “No. 23” and that is was completed in 1947 and sold via Kende Galleries (at Gimbel Brothers...

A gorgeous tempura painting of figures carrying goods and taking a break in a Haitian village by Frantz (Freddie) Lamothe (Haitian, b.1961). Signed "F. L...

Hazel Janicki (American, 1918-1976) Nature Walk, 1960 Tempera on masonite Signed lower left, dated and titled verso 18 x 28.5 inches 23.5 x 34 inches, framed Hazel Middleton was bor...

Maryn Hunzeker "Explorers" Original Casein Painting c.1960 Fantastic mid modern painting by noted artist Maryn Hunzeker. Created with casein on panel. Dimensions 26" x 18 1/4". The...

Gretchen Oldfather Troibner (American, b. 1953) Strange Woods Casein on paper Signed with monogram lower right 16.5 x 12.75 inches 27.5 x 22.5 inches Gretchen Troibner is an America...

Honore Sharrer (1920 - 2009) Woman Listening Signed lower right Caseine on paper 15 x 20 inches Provenance: Forum Gallery, New York Private Collection ...

Alan Bray’s Neighbors is a masterful casein tempera painting capturing the quiet beauty of winter. Delicate, snow-covered branches contrast against a crisp blue sky, while two bird n...

AS THE DAYS WASH OVER ME‐ BY E. Melinda Morrison is egg tempera on a prepped aluminum panel This egg tempera paintings is 12 x 24 is painted by E. M...

Early work of figures moving along the street in Cuernavaca to the Cathedral in Mexico by Goldie Anita Powell Harding (American, 1892-1974). Circa 1935. Tempera on Masonite. In a per...

Signed verso: "Robert Vickrey". Titled verso: "The Blue Top". In fine condition.