05-20-201105-21-2011
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2547BBoston
May 20, 2011 12:00 PMCalender
461

William Henry Johnson (African/American, 1901-1970) Coastal Surf

Sell one like this
$82,950$70,000
Auction: American & European Works of Art - 2547BLocation: BostonDate / Time: May 20, 2011 12:00PM

Description:

William Henry Johnson (African/American, 1901-1970)

Coastal Surf
Signed "W.H. Johnson" l.r.
Oil on canvas, 23 1/2 x 31 1/2 in. (59.7 x 80.0 cm),framed.
Condition: Craquelure.

Provenance: Through a Huntington, Long Island estate.

N.B. The present work likely dates to Johnson's second Denmark phase (ca. 1932),after Johnson and his Danish artist wife returned from their three-month stay in Tunisia. His works after this influential trip are characterized by "a more vibrant palette and a thick, impasted texture" applied with both brush and palette knife, giving the impression of "wet clay." (1)

(1) Steve Turner and Victoria Dailey, William H. Johnson: Truth Be Told, Los Angeles: Seven Arts Publishing, 1998, p. 26.




Estimate $5,000-7,000

Craquelure, with subtle stretcher bar marks along l. and r sides. Discolored varnish, surface grime. Staining to reverse of canvas.

Keywords

William Henry Johnson, Denmark, Tunisia, Victoria Dailey, Seven Arts Publishing, Steve Turner, Los Angeles