Sarkis Sarkisian was a painter and teacher, who spent most of his career in Detroit, Michigan, and later said: "Detroit has give me everything. I was an immigrant kid, who came here at 13". (Detroit News) He emigrated there with his Armenian family from Smyma, Turkey in 1922. From a young age, he showed art interest and talent. Sarkisian studied under John Wicker at the Wicker School of Fine Arts, and with John Carroll at the Art School of the Detroit Society of Arts & Crafts where Sarkisian was hired as an assistant instructor of drawing and design in 1933. He became a full instructor in 1934, and was named Director in 1947. In addition, he taught classes for the Birmingham Society of Women Painters 1945-54. As a teacher, "Sarkisian spelled out his own philosophy of painting: 'The only way to be an artist is to know you have to train yourself. Otherwise all you can do is imitate. Experience should come first. Then influence can be absorbed intelligently. Sure, Picasso based his Blue Period on El Greco. But Picasso translated what he picked up into his own way of thinking. That's why he's an innovator, not an imitator.' " (Detroit News) As a special influence, he gave special credit to John Wicker, one of his first teachers, who in turn had special admiration for Matisse and his handling of line, space, and patterns. Sarkis was juried into art exhibitions across the nation during his lifetime including the Annual Exhibition of Michigan Artists at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Annual Exhibitions of American Painters and Sculptors at the Art Institute of Chicago, First Annual Show of Contemporary Art at the Richmond Museum of Art, Society of Independent Artists, Paintings from 16 American Cities at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, The Scarab Club of Detroit, Biennial Exhibition of American Art at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Biennial Exhibitions of American Oil Paintings at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., National Exhibition of American Art at Rockefeller Center in New York, Annual Exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, among many others.
$15,000
An Oversized Floral Still Life, Oil on Canvas, Sarkis Sarkisian 1909-1977
By Sarkis Sarkisian
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is an impressive oversized floral still life by Sarkis Sarkisian featuring tulips and Lillies in a vase. The mauve background is subtle enough to compliment the flowers and vas...
Canvas
Modern Mid-Century Abstract Still Life. Colorful Abstracted Cream Pitcher.
By Sarkis Sarkisian
Located in Marco Island, FL
A wonderful little abstract gem by Sarkis Sarkisian entitled Still Life with Cream Pitcher. It is a vibrant and beautiful example of mid-century modern abstraction. Framed in a t...
Mixed Media, Oil, Board
$3,575
H 28.75 in W 25.2 in
Ettore Cosomati (1871-1960) Still life of Marigolds with lemons and pipe
Located in Como, IT
Ettore Cosomati (Naples 1871 - Milan 1960) Still life of Marigolds with lemons and pipe Oil on canvas in gilded frame Size: 53 x 45 cm (73 x 64 cm inc...
Canvas, Oil
$9,960
H 48 in W 40.5 in D 2.75 in
"Nature Morte à la table blau(?)" / Still Life at the (?) Table
By Guy Bardone
Located in Berlin, MD
Guy Bardone (1927 - 2015, French) "Nature Morte à la Table Blau (?)" / Still Life at the (?) Table. Oil on canvas with a lovely frame surrounding. The picture in greens and browns...
Canvas, Oil
$950
H 20 in W 23 in D 1.25 in
A Serene 1930s Modern Still Life Painting of Yellow Bananas in a French Compote
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Serene 1930s Modern Studio Still Life Painting of Yellow Bananas in a Decorative Antique French Faience Porcelain Compote by Notable Chic...
Canvas, Oil, Board
$5,660
H 40.16 in W 27.96 in D 1.19 in
Oil On Canvas Still Life With Flowers And Japanese Satsuma Porcelain
Located in Gavere, BE
"Oil On Canvas Still Life With Flowers And Japanese Satsuma Porcelain" Painting very rich in colors with beautiful dimensions The whole sold with a sublime frame in perfect condition...
Canvas, Oil
$1,650
H 24.75 in W 20.75 in D 1.25 in
Mid Century Floral Still-Life in Oil on Canvas-Wrapped Illustration Board
Located in Soquel, CA
Mid Century Floral Still-Life in Oil on Canvas-Wrapped Illustration Board Classic mid century floral still-life with impasto in warm, autumn colors by Frances Christensen American, ...
Canvas, Oil, Illustration Board
$4,950
H 34 in W 42 in D 2 in
“Still Life, 1936” by Katharine "Kitty" Duff Church British Modern Oil Signed
Located in Yardley, PA
“Still Life, 1936” by Katharine "Kitty" Duff Church (British, 1910-1999). This large, early painting by Katherine Church is among her finest canvases of the period. Characterized by its bold color palette, simplified forms, and expressive brushwork, this composition centers around a tabletop adorned with various objects: potted plants, a ceramic dish, bottles, and what appear to be books or papers. The two potted plants provide contrasting elements: on the left, what appears to be a cyclamen with red blossoms and delicate leaves, and on the right, a lush green plant with darker foliage. These plants, painted with loose, textured strokes, add an organic quality to the otherwise structured arrangement. The tabletop is cluttered yet thoughtfully composed, featuring additional objects like a clear, faceted glass bowl, a small bottle, and books or pads in striking red and green. The dynamic use of color blocks and the juxtaposition of shapes (round pots against rectangular books) create a sense of rhythm and harmony. The background is darker and less defined, emphasizing the brightly lit tabletop. Church's brushwork is gestural and modernist, leaning toward abstraction, challenging traditional still life conventions. This painting reflects Church’s interest in balancing everyday objects with bold artistic expression. It conveys both the simplicity and complexity of daily life, transforming an ordinary moment into a vibrant and engaging work of art. This work is oil on canvas and is signed and dated in the lower right. It is housed in its original gessoed frame and retains various labels and inscriptions on the reverse. Size: 28.25 inches tall by 36 inches wide (painting) 34 inches tall by 42 inches wide by 2 inches deep (frame) Provenance: Private collection, NY; Acquired from the above About the artist: Born in Highgate, north London, Katharine Church, known as ‘Kitty’ amongst friends and family, always wanted to paint. She trained at the Royal Academy of Arts between 1930-1933 and at the Slade between 1933 and 1934. In her early years Kitty exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy. Her first solo exhibition was in 1933 at the Wertheim Gallery. Other artists who exhibited there included Christopher Wood, Victor Pasmore and Cedric Morris. Kitty also showed with the New English Art Club, the London Group and between 1937-1947 her work was exhibited at the influential Lefevre Gallery, which supported avant-garde artists such as Henry Moore, Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth. In 1954 the artist was invited to take part in the Figures in their setting exhibition held at the Tate Gallery. Henry Tonks and Philip Wilson Steer had a strong influence on Kitty’s early work, but it was her friendship with Ivon Hitchens that liberated her painting technique. In 1936 Kitty married Anthony West, the son of writers Rebecca West and H.G. Wells. The couple initially lived in London before moving to Quarry Farm, Chicksgrove, Tisbury, near Salisbury, where they brought up their children Caroline and Edmund. There they hosted many of their friends, including the New Zealand painter Frances Hodgkins. Other regular visitors before the War included John and Mywafany Piper, Ralph and Frances Partridge, Noel and Catharine Carrington, Julian Trevelyan and Mary Fedden. For many of those who visited Kitty would organise painting expeditions. After the war Kitty and Anthony separated, with Anthony moving to the United States. Anthony West moved to the United States to work as a journalist for The New Yorker. In the early years after their parting Kitty visited most years with the children. In the 1960s Kitty purchased Sutton House and ran the Hambledon Gallery at Blandford Forum. There she promoted the work of her early art-school friends Mary Fedden and Julian Trevelyan, alongside work by the Pipers, John Craxton...
Canvas, Oil
$750
H 11.75 in W 11.25 in D 1 in
A Cheerful 1950s Mid-Century Modern Still Life of a Colorful Bouquet of Flowers
By Francis Chapin
Located in Chicago, IL
A Fabulous, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Still Life Painting of a Colorful Bouquet of Spring Flowers by Notable Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Completed in the vibrant,...
Oil, Canvas, Board
$2,500
H 33.75 in W 41.75 in
Still Life with Decanter by Philadelphia Artist Larry Day, 1962
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Larry Day (American, 1921-1998) Still Life with Decanter Oil on canvas, 33 3/4 x 41 3/ 4 inches FRAMED: 41 x 49 inches (approx.) Signed at lower right: “Day” Exhibition label on str...
Canvas, Oil
$11,154Sale Price|29% Off
H 10.24 in W 12.6 in D 1.97 in
17th Century by Nicolas van Houbraken Still Life with Mushrooms Oil on Canvas
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Nicolas Van Houbraken (Messina, Italy, 1668 - Pisa, Italy, 1733) Title: Still life with mushrooms Medium: Oil on canvas Dimensions: without frame 26 x 32 cm - with frame 38.5 x 33.5...
Canvas, Cotton Canvas, Oil
Wind Flowers in a Tzu Chow Vase
By Ethelyn Cosby Stewart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wind Flowers in a Tzu Chow Vase, 1933, oil on canvas board, signed and dated lower right, 20 x 16 inches, label verso with title and original price ($185.00), exhibited 44th Annual E...
Canvas, Oil, Board
$650
H 13 in W 16.5 in D 1 in
A Captivating 1944 Still-Life Painting of the Artist's Studio by Harold Haydon
By Harold Haydon
Located in Chicago, IL
A captivating 1944 oil on board, still-life painting of the artist's studio by Harold Haydon. The painting is oil on board, framed in a dark brown, painted wood frame. Artwork size...
Oil, Board
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.25 in W 21.75 in D 0.25 in
"Still Life with Fruits" Russian-American Modern Colorful Oil Painting on Board
By Ben Benn
Located in New York, NY
A strong modernist oil painting depicted in 1927 by Russian-American painter Ben Benn. With a highly recognizable modern style, fast brush stroke and expressive use of color, shape, ...
Oil, Board