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Grapefruit Moon Gallery

Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration

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Sorry, It's Sold

Minstrel Entertains a Harem

Artist:Arthur Becher
Date:1910-20
Medium:Oil On Stetched Canvas
Dimensions:Sight Size 18" x 26" Framed 23" x 31"
Condition:Excellent
Original Use:Bookplate or Magazine Interior Illustration Art
Price: Sold
Full view of painting
Full view of painting
The artist's signature
The artist’s signature and corner frame profile.
Framed view
Framed view

A deftly rendered, intricate, highly decorative oil on canvas painting by noted Brandywine School illustrator Arthur E. Becher, a student of Howard Pyle. An East Indian minstrel performs magic feats to the delight of his adoring harem in this orientalist Golden Age of Illustration depiction. Becher’s work appeared in numerous magazine titles after the turn of the last century; Scribner’s and Leslie’s most notably. He also created full color bookplates for such titles as “Long Live the King” and an 1914 adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” by P.F. Collier & Sons.

Detail
Detail
Verso view of untouched canvas and stretchers
Verso view of untouched canvas and stretchers

Painting retains original handsome ornate American Arts & Crafts ornate frame. From the legendary Charles Martignette estate.

Arthur Ernst Becher (Beecher), 1877-1960, was an illustrator of books and magazines and fine-art painter known for rural New York landscapes and historical scenes including Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. His specialty was horses.

He was born in Freiburg, Germany and trained in Munich and with Howard Pyle at the Brandywine School. In 1959, six of his early paintings were purchased by the Common Council of Milwaukee where Becher migrated with his parents at age eight.

He took early training from F.W. Heine and Robert Schade, and also painted at Jones Island, a fishing village near Milwaukee. In 1902, he became a student of illustrator Howard Pyle at Chadd’s Ford, Pennsylvania. Two years later he married Frieda Knappe from Milwaukee, and the couple settled in Ardsley, New York. In 1917, they added a 125 acre farm in Putnam County, New York.

Becher became a magazine illustrator whose clients included Scribner’s, Leslie’s, and Appleton’s. In 1908, on assignment he went to Europe and studied, likely as a private student, in Germany with Otto Strutzel, known for landscape and animal painting.

In 1911, he exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy.

During the 1930s, his illustration efforts turned to books from magazines. He also painted in Arizona during 1931 and 1939.

The Delaware Art Museum has several paintings by Becher in their collection. His work was included in the 1996 exhibition N.C. Wyeth and the Brandywine School American Illustrators from the Golden Age of Illustration (1880-1960), at the American Illustrators Gallery / Judy Goffman Fine Art.

Becher was a member of the Society of Illustrators.

Minstrel Entertains a Harem

Artist: Arthur Becher
Price:  Sold

Filed Under: Sorry, It's Sold
Tagged With: 1910s, american, Arthur E. Becher, arts & crafts, Brandywine School, Charles Martignette, exoticism, Golden Age, harem, illustration, orientalist, original interior illustration
Added to Gallery: October 20, 2010

 

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    About Grapefruit Moon Gallery

    Grapefruit Moon Gallery, based in Minneapolis MN, specializes in vintage pin up and original illustration art.  We are the proud home of the Bunny Yeager archives.

    Since 2003, Grapefruit Moon Gallery has been a leading dealer of exclusive original paintings by Gil Elvgren, Alberto Vargas, Earl Moran, Rolf Armstrong and Henry Clive, as well as vintage photographs, prints, and period decorative arts in ceramic and metal.

    All artworks featured are original, accurately represented, and guaranteed to be the work of the named artist.

    Interested buyers may view pieces by appointment and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. [Contact Us]

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