Welcome | Join Now

Sign In

[x]

By signing in, you agree to abide by the Terms & Conditions.

Opening Bid :
Current Bid:
Reserve Amount:

Notice: You are the current high bidder on this lot, but the next highest bid is within one increment. That means that any additional bids on this lot will outbid you. To increase your chances of winning, enter your highest maximum bid.

You are the current high bidder on this lot with a secret maximum bid of %s.

You are the current high bidder on this lot.
(Sign-In to see your maximum bid)

Your secret maximum bid of %s has been outbid.

Your secret maximum bid of %s does not meet the reserve.

You have been outbid on this lot.
(Sign-In to see your maximum bid)

Your secret maximum bid does not meet the reserve.
(Sign-In to see your maximum bid)


CHARLES SHEELER (American, 1883-1965). Barn Decorations (Hex Signs), 1959. Tempera on plexiglass. 6-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches (...

Lot: 66036, Auction: 2009 November Signature European & American Art #5030

Sold for: Not Sold
Ended: Nov 10, 2009
Item Activity: 0 Internet/mail bidders
582 page views

Description:

CHARLES SHEELER (American, 1883-1965)
Barn Decorations (Hex Signs), 1959
Tempera on plexiglass
6-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches (16.5 x 24.1 cm)

PROVENANCE:
The Downtown Gallery (Edith Halpert), New York, 1959;
Terry Dintenfass Gallery, New York;
Drs. Macia and Meyer Friedman, and their estates, 1978-2001;
Sotheby's, New York, American Paintings, November 28, 2001, lot 142;
Private collection, New York.

EXHIBITED:
The Downtown Gallery, New York;
Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, "American Art... 20th Century Image to Abstraction", 1967;
Terry Dintenfass Gallery, New York.

After World War I, Charles Sheeler and a small group of American artists, including Charles Demuth, Joseph Stella, and Georgia O'Keeffe, popularized a highly controlled genre of painting that became known as "Precisionism." Though the group's subject matter often varied greatly, all were known for a style characterized by simple forms, clear outlines and smooth surfaces.

The Precisionist painters chose distinctly American subjects that were unique to life in the early 20th century, such as industrial landscapes and regional culture. In Barn Decorations, Sheeler applies his new technique to a familiar scene. Barn decorating reached its peak in the early 20th century and was quite common in Pennsylvania, where Sheeler resided. This reference to the folk art tradition serves as a potent reminder of Sheeler's recognition of shared artistic tenents between modernist and primitivist expressions.

Barn Decorations (Hex Signs) is related to a large oil of the same subject - one of Sheeler's last paintings. As was often his practice after 1940, Sheeler completely resolved a composition in smaller versions before undertaking the final version, first on plexiglass, then in tempera on board. The 7 1/2 x 10 in. tempera on paper version of this work belongs to the Stephen and Sybil Stone Foundation (see M. Friedman, B. Hayes, and C. Millard, Charles Sheeler, Washington, D.C., 1968, p. 31).

Sheeler, Charles: Sheeler is best known as a painter of precise renderings of industrial forms, in an abstract-realist style, emphasizing abstract qualities and geometric shapes, using clear colors and smooth surfaces. He was a native of Philadelphia and studied at the School of Industrial Art and then at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He began a career in photography ca. 1912, working for architects, the Ford Motor Company, and other clients. He continued to create highly acclaimed paintings. His later works tended toward less literal renderings.. American painter and photographer, 1883-1965

Condition Report*:

Very good condition; not examined outside of frame.

*Heritage Auction Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. All lots offered are sold "AS IS".

View large image(s) of this item

Shipping Description: Requires 3rd Party Shipping (view shipping information)

Guides and Pricing Information:

Previous Prices from Heritage Auctions for this artist

Sign-in or Join (free & quick)

Find Auction Prices for Comparable Items:


Photographs:

Floor Auctions: Live & Coming Soon

Rare Books

02/11/2010


Manuscripts

02/11/2010


Illustration Art

02/18/2010


Comics & Comic Art

02/25/2010


Movie Posters

03/19/2010


US Coins

03/24/2010


Stamps

03/26/2010


Silver

03/31/2010


Heritage delivers Value - $673,960,269 sold at auction and in private treaty sales over the past 12 months.

Our 496,352 bidder-members from 164 countries enjoy all these free benefits:

  1. Bid on-line
  2. Free Collector newsletter
  3. Want List with instant e-mail notifications
  4. Auction Archives (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
  5. Hall of Fame
  6. Reduced auction
    commissions when
    you resell your
    winnings 

Members Sign In


Free Newsletter and Announcements!

Quality Consignments Wanted

Only 23 days left to consign to the 2010 May Signature Illustration Art Auction!

We expect to have one of our Consignment Directors visiting your area soon. Please call to arrange an appointment.

E-mail Jeri Carroll or call
1-800-872-6467 x1444

View traffic of HA.com vs. other auctions on Compete.com

In The News