Chicago - Figurative Paintings

"And They're Off..." A Superb, Large Horse Racing Themed Painting by Famed American Realist Artist, Joseph Lorusso (Born 1966). Artwork size: 24 x 26 inches; oil on panel (framed...

A large, cheerful 1950s American Scene, Mid-Century Modern oil painting, "The Picnic" by notable Chicago artist, Walter Burt Adams (Am. 1903-1990). A vibrant, painterly depiction of...

A Contemplative 1940s Modern Studio Portrait of a Seated Female Ballet Dancer by Notable Chicago Modern Artist, Walter Burt Adams (Am. 1903-1990). The painting a is well executed, i...

An Introspective, Post-War Modern Southwestern Landscape Painting of an Adobe House in New Mexico by Notable Chicago Artist, Walter Burt Adams (Am. 1903-1990). A subtle tonal, archi...

A Colorful, Modern Maine Coastal Scene Painting, "White Boat in Harbor" by Famed Chicago Artist and Printmaker, Charles Turzak (Am. 1899 - 1986). The painting depicts a vibrant, sunlit autumn landscape painting most likely painted near the quiet rural harbor town of Penobscot, Maine. The painting is acrylic on canvas, dates from the 1950s and has a great visual appeal- a perfect complement to any New England coastal home or summer cottage in Maine. Artwork size: 20 x 36 inches, accompanied with the artist's original, hand-painted frame (Framed size: 21 3/4 x 36 1/2 inches). Signed "Turzak", lower left; titled on artist's label on reverse. Provenance: Estate of the artist. Charles Turzak was one of Chicago’s greatest printmakers of the Art Deco-era. Son of a coal miner, Turzak was born in Streeter, IL in 1899. In 1920, Turzak won the first prize a cartoon contest sponsored by the Purina company and he used his prize money to enroll in the Art Institute of Chicago. Best known as a print maker, in the 1920s & 30s, he created woodcuts of many of Chicago’s most notable buildings, including the Merchandise Mart, Palmolive Building and the Old Water Tower, among others. In 1933, he was commissioned to create woodcuts of many of Chicago’s most iconic buildings to illustrate a guidebook called “All About Chicago” by John and Ruth Ashenhurst” that featured the upcoming Century of Progress Exhibition in Chicago. During the 1933 World’s Fair...

A stylish, vintage, 1940s fashion study featuring an elegant design for a woman's evening gown. Artwork size: 11 x 8 1/2 inches. Colored pencil and pencil on paper. Archivally ma...

A stylish, vintage, 1940s fashion study featuring elegant designs for women's active wear by Hattie Carnegie. Inscription reads: Left - White jersey slack suit Red gaberdine jacke...

A scenic, colorful Modern 1930s summer harbor scene of Saugatuck, Michigan by notable Chicago Modern artist, Francis Chapin. Depicting a lively summer harbor view of the historic S...

Diogenes is a compelling oil portrait that reimagines the legendary Greek philosopher through the lens of classical beauty and symbolic expression. The contemplative figure, crowned ...

A Unique, Unusual and Striking Abstract Surrealist Painting Completed in the Chicago Imagist Tradition by Notable Artist, Stanley Dean Edwards (Am. Born 1941). Titled "The Last Living Face in Pompeii", the painting is oil and acrylic on canvas presented in its original frame. The artwork shows a unique synthesis of Post-War Surrealist influences, including the avant-garde Italian artist Enrico Baj and the vibrant palette of the Chicago Imagist school, namely Ed Paschke and his contemporaries. The collage-like references in the composition recall the artwork of sculptor H.C. Westermann and others experimenting with assemblage, found objects and the integration of inanimate objects. Artwork size: 38 1/2 x 32 inches; Framed size: 39 1/4 x 33 1/4 inches. Signed "Edwards", lower right; signed, titled and dated on reverse. Provenance: The Artist; Private Collection, Chicago, IL (circa 2010). Born 1941 in Joliet, Illinois, Stanley Dean Edwards moved to Chicago early in life to pursue his life as an artist. His mother was a Chicago public school teacher, and his father was a Methodist minister. He studied painting and design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), receiving a BFA in 1967. While at SAIC, Edwards was influenced by Vera Berdich's printmaking classes and Daniel Massen's design classes. After a brief stay in New York (1967-1970), where he was profoundly shaken by urban rioting and general upheaval of this time, Edwards returned to Chicago and later set up a studio in the Pilsen Neighborhood. Edwards is primarily a figurative painter whose work is informed by both Surrealism and Constructivism. Early hard-edge paintings from the mid-1960's feature a series of screaming babies set in brightly colored environments. These works offer religious suggestions, as the infants are paired with ecclesiastical figures presented atop an altar. Other protagonists of his series include dogs and faceless men. (1) In the early 1960's, Stan Edwards was part of a diverse group of artists that included George Kokines, Ray Siemanowski, Michael Hurson and Peter Holbrook among others. These artists and Edwards were part of that decade's vanguard and their work was included in an exhibition titled, "Twelve Chicago Artists" at the Walker Art Center. The curator was Jan Van der Marck. Edwards called his paintings of babies, dogs and erotic torsos from that period "image painting" because they were taken not from the model stand but cast off photo images. One painting from this period, Infant in Altar IV, is a 60" x 60" an oil and acrylic painting and was loaned by the National Museum of American Art at the Smithsonian to the Museum of Contemporary Art for its fifty year retrospective titled, "Art in Chicago, 1945 to 1995." The painting is part of the Martha Jackson memorial collection at the National Museum of American Art. (2.) Recent paintings, which Edwards calls "Icons for a New Era: Assembled Art Imagery," feature iconic images composed of items from popular culture; witty titles often allude to the materials from which they were made. The found objects, vibrant colors, and slick presentations of his works indicate their relationship to and a continuation of Pop art. Both humorous and sinister, Edwards' paintings reflect the psychological uneasiness associated with the close of the twentieth century. (3.) One painting of this series titled Surveyor is a 66" x 60" oil and acrylic painting and appears in the book Humor in Art by Nicholas Roukes, published by Davis Inc. The book is widely used as a text for art and design projects. (4.) In October of 2002 Edwards presented a retrospective exhibition of his work at the Illinois Institute of Art where he taught art and design in the foundation program. His lecture and exhibition were presented as part of "Chicago Artist's Month" sponsored by the Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Chicago. In 2004 Edwards completed a major commission for the new Veterans' Administration building in Chicago. The commission centered on patriotic themes and one large 6 and 1/2' x 10' painting is dedicated to prisoners of war. Five others are 48" x 48" and depict the military branch seals, and four paintings 32" x 32" are based on 19th century patriotic engravings. Stan Edwards, who retired from the Illinois Institute of Art in 2009, lives and works in Chicago, Illinois. Sources: (2. & 4.) Press release (1. & 3.) "Art in Chicago 1945 1995, MCA.) COLLECTIONS: Selected corporate & institutional collections National Museum of American Art/Smithsonian Corcoran Gallery of Art Ceco Corporation Crain Communications Thrall Railcar Company American Hospital Association Plyzynski & Associates, Inc. NYC North American Jet Corporation Ball State University Illinois Institute of Art at Chicago State University of New York Harris Bank & Trust Dallas Theater Center Electronic Media Magazine Johnson Controls Central National Bank of Cleveland Associates Commercial Corporation Corporate Art Source Veterans' Administration Commission, Chicago, 2004 Ten site specific paintings Siemens Corporation COLLECTIONS: Selected private collections Walter & Dawn Clark Netsch Beatrice "Buddy" Mayer Douglas Ross Larry Aronson Marc & Ilana Platt Phil & Joan Krone Craig & Janet Duchossois Sally Fairweather Shirley Hardin Brian Boyer Pritzker collection James Speyer collection Michael Greany Ed & Lindy Bergman Collection Leigh Block Collection Professor Harold Platt Professors Lew Erenberg & Susan Hirsch Dr. David Gross Professor Mihaly Csiksentmihalyi Dr. Paula Young Dr. & Mrs. Imre Hidvegi EXHIBITIONS: Selected exhibitions Biennial Drawing Exhibition, Art Institute of Chicago, 1962 Momentum II, Lexington Hall, University of Chicago, 1964 The Sunken City Rises, Hermann Hall, Illinois Institute of Technology,1964 Eye on Chicago, Hermann Hall, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1964 29th Corcoran Biennial, 1965, Washington, D.C. Inaugural exhibition, Fairweather-Hardin, 1965 Society for Contemporary Art, Art Institute of Chicago, 1965 12 Chicago Painters...

A Unique, Visually Striking, Surrealist Mid-Century Modern Abstract Beach Scene by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). Depicting an abstracted female bathers stan...

A Bustling 1950s Mid-Century Modern Harbor Scene of Martha's Vineyard by Famed Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). A busy harbor scene of sandy shoreline, docks and boat...

A Charming, 1950s Painting of Lisbon, Portugal by Famed Chicago Modern Artist Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Depicting a bustling, colorful view of Lisbon's historic Black Horse Sq...

A vibrant, colorful, 1950s Mid-Century Modern painting of a bull fight by notable Chicago artist, Francis Chapin. Oil on canvas, presented in a period, dark walnut brown stained flo...

A Vibrant, Mid-Century Modern 1960s Studio Interior Scene of a Standing Female Nude by Notable Chicago Woman Artist, Vivian Kinsley Chapin (Am. 1909-1984). Very "Mod" in style and a...

A charming, vibrant, early Mexican city street scene by famed Chicago Modern artist Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Depicting a quiet, picturesque view of the rooftops and cathedral...

A vibrant, Modern 1950's watercolor of a young male bather kneeling against a sunny Mediterranean beach by notable French artist Andre Delfau. Painted most likely near Marseille in ...

A contemporary cowboy is rendered with the gravity of a classical male nude. Surdo treats the body with the care of an Old Master while layering in the mythology of American masculin...

A striking, finely painted vintage 1930s Modern Northwoods landscape scene, Island Lake, painted in Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada by notable Chicago artist, Harold Haydon. Many of...

A Large, Colorful, Modernist Art Deco Cubist Painting, "The Dancers" by Famed Chicago Painter and Printmaker, Charles Turzak (Am. 1899 - 1986). A large, vertical composition relating to the artist's notable 1930s woodcut of the same title. The painting is completed in a vividly textured Cubist style, with striking hues of rich greens and yellows, deep blues and rose pinks. The painting is oiI on canvas mounted to Masonite (artist's original mount), and offers a superb visual appeal. A perfect complement to any Mid-Century Modern home or collection. Artwork size: 38 x 24 inches (Framed size: 38 1/4 x 24 1/4 inches). Signed "Turzak" lower right. Provenance: Estate of the artist. Charles Turzak was one of Chicago’s greatest printmakers of the Art Deco-era. Son of a coal miner, Turzak was born in Streeter, IL in 1899. In 1920, Turzak won the first prize a cartoon contest sponsored by the Purina company and he used his prize money to enroll in the Art Institute of Chicago. Best known as a print maker, in the 1920s & 30s, he created woodcuts of many of Chicago’s most notable buildings, including the Merchandise Mart, Palmolive Building and the Old Water Tower, among others. In 1933, he was commissioned to create woodcuts of many of Chicago’s most iconic buildings to illustrate a guidebook called “All About Chicago” by John and Ruth Ashenhurst” that featured the upcoming Century of Progress Exhibition in Chicago. During the 1933 World’s Fair...

A Charming 1930s City Rooftop Scene by Notable Chicago Modern Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). Depicting a colorful, early springtime view likely painted from the artist's stu...

A dynamic ca. 1958 Mid-Century Modern painting titled "Refreshment" by Woman Artist, Lucille Leighton. Oil on canvas, in original frame. Artwork size: 22" x 18". Framed size: 27 1...

A dynamic ca. 1940s American Machine Age Modern industrial scene, depicting a suspended gantry crane and factory workers. Possibly completed as an illustration study for a print adv...

A stylish, vintage, 1940s fashion study featuring an elegant design for women's dresses (day & evening wear). Most likely a design study for a print advertisement for the famed Chicago department store, Marshall Field & Co. Inscription reads: "Above- Irene Castle inspired this dinner gown...

A charming 1950s Modern painting of a little red house, titled "Corner of the Brick House with Last Snow Bank, Calais, VT" by notable Chicago artist, Harold Haydon. Painted near the...

A colorful, blustery painting of sailing off the coast of Martha's Vineyard by famed Chicago Modern artist, Francis Chapin. Painted in the early 1950s, the painting depicts a vibran...

An Intriguing 1991 Surrealist painting of downtown Chicago by artist James Mesplé. Oil and tempera on panel. Signed and dated "James Mesplé 1991", lower right; titled on label on ...

In this striking monochromatic interpretation inspired by Bernini’s angels, Ivan Marković distills Baroque drama into raw, gestural intensity. Against a deep black ground, the angeli...

This painting, depicting the mythological Abduction of Europa, situates Bruno Surdo squarely within the grand tradition of European history painting while simultaneously revealing th...

A Unique, Unusual Surrealist Interior Scene with Abstracted Figure by Notable Chicago Modern Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). Depicting an abstract city apartment interior wit...

This crowded theater scene shifts focus from performance to spectatorship, drawing inspiration from the cult spectacle of The Rocky Horror Picture Sho...

This oil painting on panel titled "Carriers On", depicts a quiet procession of repeated figures, each bowed forward in a gesture of weight and endurance. Rendered in warm, earthy ton...

Using pornography as a vehicle for understanding, Rick Sindt's work explores the discovery and development of queer attraction. Sindt transforms pornographi...

A delightful & colorful 1940s American Modern painting of two women resting in a summer Vermont landscape by notable Chicago artist, Harold Haydon. Painted near the artist's longtim...

A Brooding, Compelling 1940s American Scene, Social Realist Oil Painting, "Tenement Ruins" by Notable Canadian / American artist Emil Weddige (1907-2001). Oil on canvas, dating from...

"Cowboy Serenade", A Large, Cheerful Southwestern, New Mexico Landscape Painting by Notable Chicago Artist, Walter Burt Adams (Am. 1903-1...

A vibrant 1950s Modern watercolor of a standing male bather in red & orange tones by notable French artist Andre Delfau. Painted in the south of France along the Cote d' azure (...

A stylish, vintage, 1940s fashion study featuring an elegant design for a woman's coat, hat and muff, inscribed "Marshall Field & Co". Likely an advertisement illustration study...

This mixed-media painting by contemporary artist Patrick Burns is a departure from his "Concrete Gardens" flower paintings, yet continues his use of heavy texture and reverberating, ...

A Charming, 1940s Mid-Century Modern Landscape Oil Painting of a Summer Night in Vermont, "English Dance" by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). Depicting a livel...

Using pornography as a vehicle for understanding, Rick Sindt's work explores the discovery and development of queer attraction. Sindt transforms pornographi...

The love affair between the Emperor Hadrian and his Greek companion Antinous is perhaps the most famous and tragic romance in Ancient Rome. So great that it inspired the final great...

An Exceptional Mid-Century Modern Oil Painting of a Reclining Nude Female Model by Noted Chicago Artist, Rudolph T. Pen. This alluring studio scene, painted in the 1960s, exemplifi...

This mixed-media painting by contemporary artist Patrick Burns is a departure from his "Concrete Gardens" flower paintings, yet continues his use of heavy texture and reverberating, ...

Harmony This painting feels especially important in understanding Bruno Surdo’s artistic roots because it is not simply an homage to Raphael — it is also a return to one of the forma...

A Striking, Colorful 1940s Modern Studio Portrait of a Seated Female Model in a Pink Blouse by Notable Chicago Modern Artist, Walter Burt Adams (Am. 1903-1990). The painting a is we...

A large, expansive 1950s Mid-Century Modern Southwestern landscape painting of Sedona, Arizona by notable Chicago artist, Francis Chapin. Depicting a scenic, colorful view of Cathed...

A Striking 1920s Art Deco Modern Portrait of a Young Woman by Notable Chicago Artist, Walter Burt Adams (Am. 1903-1990). A well executed, early student work depicting a stylish youn...

In Hermes II, John Rush captures the Greek messenger god in a moment of explosive movement. The figure seems to leap or fly across the composition, his extended limbs and billowing ...

The Bustling of Time captures one of Bruno Surdo’s recurring strengths: his ability to turn an ordinary public moment into something quietly theatrical and emotionally resonant. At t...

A Striking, Colorful Post-War Studio Portrait of a Seated Young Male Model by Notable Chicago Modern Artist, Walter Burt Adams (Am. 1903-1990). The painting a is well executed, inti...

A striking 1930s Modern portrayal of El Greco's Renaissance masterpiece, "Mater Dolorosa" by Notable California Woman Artist, Leonine E. Wallace. Artwork size: 13 x 10 inches. O...

Diogenes is a masterfully executed oil painting that reinterprets the legendary Greek philosopher through an elegant fusion of classical idealism and poetic symbolism. Seated in cont...

Using pornography as a vehicle for understanding, Rick Sindt's work explores the discovery and development of queer attraction. Sindt transforms pornographi...

A vibrant, colorful harbor scene of Martha's Vineyard by notable Chicago Modern artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Depicting a quiet inlet with sandy shoreline, boat houses and...

With the subject covering his face, we, the viewer, are perplexed by the mystery of the moment. The warm light from the background in this painting titled, "Seer" suggest a fire. I...

A Charming, Colorful 1950s Mid-Century Modern Harbor Scene of Martha's Vineyard by Notable Chicago Artist, Francis Chapin (Am. 1899-1965). Painted near the artist's longtime studio ...

A charming vintage 1950s painting of Martha's Vineyard, "Oak Bluffs, Mass." by notable Chicago artist Francis Chapin. A bustling view of the picturesque lighthouse and Soldiers Mem...

Interchange Between Myth and Reality is Bruno Surdo’s contemporary banquet scene—an ambitious reimagining of the grand Venetian feast painting for the 2...

Fishermen of Mola di Bari represents a deeply personal turn within Bruno Surdo’s practice, grounding his classical training and allegorical sensibility in lived history and ancestral...