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American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists
|
- Sale 2105
Live
| Philadelphia
Dec 8 | 2:00 PM EST
Live
| Philadelphia
Sale 2105
| Philadelphia
| Philadelphia
Estimate$10,000 – $15,000
Provenance:
ACA Galleries, New York, New York.
Acquired directly from the above, 1984.
Lot Essay:
Leon Kroll was born in 1884 in New York City, where he studied at the Art Students League with John Henry Twachtman and at the National Academy of Design, where he later taught. He attended the Académie Julian in Paris, studying with French Academic painter Jean-Paul Laurens before returning to the United States.
Greatly influenced by George Bellows and Robert Henri, Kroll maintained a realist style throughout his career, commenting in a letter in 1951: “even the so-called nonobjective artists inevitably use subject matter. I find their subject matter uninteresting and limited. Without copying nature, which is impossible anyway, selection can be made for emotional or any other expression of the infinite variety provided by life and nature."
Best known for his luxurious nudes, Kroll also painted city scenes, landscapes, still life and figurative works, sometimes painting on a grand scale for public murals. His work is included in major museum collections like the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York and important murals grace the Department of Justice Building in Washington, D.C. and the Worcester Memorial Auditorium in Massachusetts.
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Adam Veil
VP, Head of Department, American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists
The wax-lined canvas in overall fair to good condition, with a nicely preserved texture, and fresh colors. Examination under UV light reveals broad retouching along all four edges of the work, especially prominent along the top, bottom and left outer edges. With accompanying, broad, inpainting at bottom center, bottom right corner (on each side of the bush, the nearby people being intact). Some more restoration at upper right quadrant, and center right (the latter being relatively minor: most likely inpainted flakes). Some more uptop, at upper center above the mountain. The latter is mostly intact; save for two spots on its left-hand side. Evidence of repair in the sky at upper left corner. The left handside is otherwise largely untouched. Additional images available upon request.
Frame: 42 1/2 x 54 1/2 in.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
