CHARLES HENRY DEMUTH (American 1883 - 1935) Biarritz, South of France, 1913 Oil on board 12 x 16in. Signed lower lef...

Auction amount: $89,625.00

Sold: Nov 10, 2006

Charles Demuth (American, 1883-1935)

Paintings

Also known as: Demuth, Charles Henry; Demuth, Charles Henry Buckius

Birth Place: Lancaster (Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, United States)

Biography:
Charles Demuth, sometimes called Deem by friends and colleagues, was an American painter. He was born on November 8th, 1883, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Demuth is often credited with being a leading figure among artists who belonged to the Precisionist movement, beginning his early career in water colors and later incorporating the use of oils. Prominent Painters of this movement were also sometimes refered to as "The Immaculatss." Many of these artists thought of themselves as strictly American, reluctant to admit any European influence on their style of art. Precesionist art is said to have been an influence that carries over into later Pop Art and Photo Realism, incorporating aspects of cubist and futurist art styles. For a period, Demuth also spent time studying abroad in Paris and became involved in the avant-garde culture within the Paresian art community. Demuth's health was often characterized as being frail. In his early years, Demuth struggled with lameness and later in life developed diabetes.

The Figure Five In Gold is often revered as Demuth's most respected painting. This was a work that Demuth produced as a piece complementing a poem named "The Great Figure" by his friend William Carlos Williams. After viewing grain elevators in his home town of Lancaster, Demuth painted another of his famous works called "My Egypt". From 1927 to 1933, Demuth took to painting a seven part panel series of factories, which were completed only 2-years prior to his death in October, 23rd, 1935. Demuth was only 51 years old at the time of his death.

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