09-27-201709-28-2017
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
3029BBoston
September 27, 2017 12:00 PMCalender
380

Paul Cadmus (American, 1904-1999) Donny Nardona

Sell one like this
$7,995$6,500
Auction: American & European Works of Art - 3029BLocation: BostonDate / Time: September 27, 2017 4:00PM

Description:

Paul Cadmus (American, 1904-1999)

Donny Nardona
Titled and signed ".../Cadmus" l.r., with a label from Midtown Galleries, New York, affixed to the backing board.
Pencil and crayon on tracing paper, 17 3/4 x 13 in. (45.1 x 33.0 cm),framed.
Condition: Sheet taped to backing at upper corners, toning, subtly light-struck, rippling, scattered handling creases, scattered fox marks.

Provenance: Midtown Galleries, New York; through to the current private Florida collection.

N.B. Paul Cadmus met dancer Donny Nardona through the painter Elwyn Chamberlain in 1956. At the time, Nardona was a student at The School of American Ballet and Cadmus had recently returned to the United States from a two-year stint living and working in France and Italy. A skilled and prolific draughtsman, Cadmus had begun as a student at the National Academy of Design in 1919, at the age of 15, and had studied drawing exclusively for the following four years. He continued to create beautifully detailed charcoal, pen and ink, and egg tempera portraits throughout his career, often using the same male models repeatedly. He made at least four other drawings of Nardona, including a more formal version (in egg tempera) of this work (see Guy Davenport, The Drawings of Paul Cadmus [New York: Rizzoli, 1989], pp. 70-71, 76). A great admirer of Italian Renaissance artists, Cadmus began working with the early Renaissance medium of egg yolk tempera paint around 1940. Because it could take up to six months to finish a painting with egg tempera, Cadmus produced only a few paintings each year. He continued to work on figure drawings, however, throughout his career using his partner, Jon Anderson, as his principal model after 1965. Shortly after Nardona modeled for Cadmus, he quit dancing and moved to Florida.
Estimate $5,000-7,000

The handling creases are most prominent along the left side of the sheet, with the largest crease at the upper left measuring 5 1/2 in.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

Jon Anderson, Elwyn Chamberlain, Donny Nardona, B. Paul Cadmus, Guy Davenport, Italy, United States, Galleries, France, Midtown