Original Art from the Grand Age of American Illustration
An early pastel work of a modernist avant-garde dancer by a then young Rolf Armstrong, which was done in Paris as he studied at the Academie Julian his first year there in 1919. The work appears to have been exhibited and to have received a bronze prize as referenced in the inkstamp on the […]
Artist: Rolf Armstrong
This stirring oil on canvas presents a traditional Indonesian dance filled with music, movement, and joy. Martha Sawyers, the artist, made a name in the illustration world for her deeply sensitive and captivating portraits of Far Eastern life–she returned to the region time and again, and her appreciation for the variety of cultures and peoples she encountered culminated in the book she co-authored with her husband William Reusswig “India and Southeast Asia.”
Artist: Martha Sawyers
Capturing a festive scene of traditionally garbed Spanish dancers in a spirited plein air fine art painting, this c. 1930 oil on canvas by the listed artist Andrew Dobos embodies the arts & crafts style. Rendered in a flowing and lyrical Southwestern aesthetic, this will accentuate an American bungalow interior. Retains its original handsome American Arts & Crafts aesthetic gold gesso frame.
Artist: Andrew Dobos
Doris Niles was a premiere ballerina and concert dancer, known primarily for her Spanish-inspired pieces, and one of the shining beauties of the New York stage. Her flamboyant continental costume and dramatically posed stance in this portrait by Nikolas Muray, capture the dancer’s unique and refined sensibility. Muray, one of the masters of the modern expressive style, chronicled the New York dance world in the art deco jazz age, and his expert eye is on display to fine effect in this seductive view.
Artist: Nickolas Muray
An early fabulous pen & ink drawing by Cardwell Higgins in the art deco manner titled “Siamese Dancers”, possibly a commissioned work for use by Paramount Films where the artist was under contract in the late 1920s. Higgins completed a series of like minded costumed art deco pen & ink drawings between the years of 1927 – 1929 that were re-marketed as a series of limited edition art prints under the guidance of Charles Martignette in 1979. The work is finely matted and framed behind glass in a handsome art deco black and silver fine gallery frame.
Artist: Cardwell Higgins
A large and expertly rendered pastel on illustration board by Hungarian artist Pal Fried. Fried, who commonly worked in oils, was equally adept with pastels and this is a fine offering revisiting one of his favorite themes; a young ballerina in anticipation of her performance. Work is nicely matted and framed and in an excellent state of preservation.
Artist: Pal Fried
This kinetic and bold original oil on canvas depicts a moment from choreographer and dancer Katharine Dunham’s seminal avant garde revue Bal Negre. With its unique color palate and unexpected perspective, the painting evokes the excitement of the Hot Jazz modern dance which reached its peak at the moment the artist moved to the United States. Pal Fried was known for his unsurpassed ability to capture the emotion of dance, and this painting proves his mastery with its physicality and vanguard beauty.
Artist: Pal Fried
A charming original oil on canvas by the hotly collected artist Pal Fried. A well rendered and colorful depiction of four young ballerinas at dance class. Fried, an artist of the Hungarian school, was known as an important figure painter, and most often depicted beautiful young women, nudes, ballerinas, Parisian society women, western scenes, horse racing, and an occasional seascape. His oil paintings and pastels have gained much deserved recognition and notoriety and are increasingly desirable.
Artist: Pal Fried
