Fine & Decorative Art

Along with developments in lithography that led many leading talents of the day into careers as illustrators, the 20th century saw innovations in photography, printmaking, and design that revolutionized fine, public, and decorative art. Below, you will see showcased original artworks from the Art Nouveau, American Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, WPA-era and beyond.

An exceptional and defining example of William Malherbe’s post impressionistic landscapes and portaiture — a circa 1920’s oil on stretched canvas. Malherbe is a well-listed and coveted artist with outstanding auction hammer prices. To these eyes, an inferior village view with no figures sold for a record $4,180.00 in 1988. Original label on verso, as seen, boldly signed lower left. This oil painting is an evocative and stirring example of his mastery of the post impressionistic landscape.

“La Seine aux Andelys”

Artist: William Malherbe

A delightful if somewhat macabre and seemingly allegorical take on an interior nude Harem Scene. Eerily rendered grotesques, satyrs, nymphs, and a female nude in the forefront — ravished by age — cavort in a whimsical Middle Eastern aesthetic interior. Painting is unsigned but guaranteed to be an original work by this well-listed and exhibited artist. A fresh estate auction buy, where a large collection of Brown original paintings were sold over a several month period straight from the artist’s descendents’ estate. Beautifully framed in a period, ornate gesso wood frame as seen and mounted on original suede as presented by artist and found.

Art Deco Nude Harem Scene

Artist: Bob Brown

An evocotive American Arts and Crafts aesthetic, original oil on canvas, by noted and listed Chicago area artist, Torey Ross. Ross was born in Gotthenburg, Sweden, settled in Chicago, was a member of the Chicago Society of Artists, exhibited at The Salons of America, The Art Institute of Chicago and The Society of Independent Artists in New York City . Titled on verso Florida Indian Home. Stylistically very similar to period Illustration work by Eanger Irving Couse and Weinhold Reiss. Retains elaborate and beautiful original Art Nouveau, carved gesso frame.

Native American Woman Potter

Artist: Torey Ross

Alejandro Serrat Blasco-Ibanez was a 20th century post-cubist Master. This piece of work was found after his death entombed in the basement of his parents’ home in Los Angeles. He was the nephew of the famed Vincente Blasco-Ibanez, who was made popular by his novel The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. This stunning gouache painting is a great example of his textural cubist renderings.

Post Cubist Portrait of Woman

Artist: Alejandro Serrat Blasco-Ibanez

A spectacular, rare, exhibited large oil on canvas from 1924 titled, The Young Dianas. Retains original Carrig Rohane, hand signed and dated, carved gesso frame. An Art Deco masterpiece and a museum quality example of American Impressionist Painting.

The Young Dianas

Artist: Arthur Prince Spear

A highly stylized, art deco original etching in the manner of Rockwell Kent, Lynd Ward, and other period art deco artists. Image is evocotive and surreal in form; notice the female nude form in the background. Artwork is unsigned and retains original frame and blue velvet matting which shows some staining but appears original to etching and is still quite charming as seen.

Art Deco Nude Etching

Artist: Unknown

A wonderful, highly detailed, circa 1900 dry point etching of a male nude, by well listed Danish artist, Achton Friis, who had a studio in Paris at the turn of the last century.

Etching of Male Nude by Friis

Artist: Achton Friis

An early art deco era masterpiece and one of only several oils ever painted by Arthur Spear in this large size. A playful nude nymph and allegorical satyr cavort near a river’s edge, titled in pencil on verso The Unveiling. Retains original carved wood gesso frame that appears to be a Carrig Rohane or similar quality. A masterpiece and a very rare surviving example of Spear’s mastery and Maxfield Parrish-like imagery and painterly technique.

The Unveiling

Artist: Arthur Prince Spear

This humorous watercolor by famed American Illustrator, James Montgomery Flagg, attests to the fraternity and friendship that existed between peers during the Golden Age of Illustration. After Clive threatened to leave illustration behind and become a southwestern landscape painter, Flagg perfectly lampooned Clive in this painting. Flagg was an amazingly prolific illustrator and is best known for his WWI poster artwork and for creating the resonating famed image of our dear old Uncle Sam.

Gag Presentation Drawing of Henry Clive

Artist: James Montgomery Flagg

Spear did a series called “Sea Weeds” with haunting images of art nouveau mermaids and other sea dwellers. This original pastel is a stunning and highly detailed example from this series. The colors are vivid and her ghost-like presence is breathtaking. This original gouache is referenced in the Warren Historical Society book on Spear on page 33 lot # 147. it was completed in February of 1927 and sold in 1930 at a New York City studio show. Artwork retains original period frame which shows some wear and there is some very minor “bubbling” where paper surface has lifted from board. This wear is minor and easily repaired.

Sea Weeds

Artist: Arthur Prince Spear

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