Edward Muegge "Buck" Schiwetz (American, 1898-1984). Terlingua, 1956. Oil and watercolor on board. 13-1/2 x 26 inches (3...

Description

Edward Muegge "Buck" Schiwetz (American, 1898-1984)
Terlingua, 1956
Oil and watercolor on board
13-1/2 x 26 inches (34.3 x 66.0 cm)
Signed and dated lower right: E.M. Schiwetz 56


EXHIBITED:
Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Fort Worth, Texas, "Celebrating Early Texas Art: Treasures from Dallas-Fort Worth Private Collections, 1900-1960," February 14-March 26, 2005;
Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, Canyon, Texas, "Urban Texas: Changing Images of an Evolving State," September 27, 2007-February 17, 2008;
The Heritage Society, Houston, Texas, "Miles and Miles of Texas: The Lone Star State Through the Eyes of Buck Schiwetz," July 21-September 14, 2009.

Edward Muegge "Buck" Schiwetz was born at Cuero, Texas to a banker father and an artistic mother. Although Schiwetz dreamed of being an artist, his father insisted he study engineering at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) before Schiwetz eventually switched to the study of architecture, graduating in 1921.
Schiwetz exhibited in most of the important Texas exhibitions of the 1930s, thus placing him squarely in the Regionalist camp, if not always in style then certainly in philosophy. He also exhibited in the "Artists of Southeast Texas" annuals at Beaumont from 1937 through 1939 (one of the first and more important regionalist Texas art exhibitions of the late 1930s). By 1948 five Texas museums had hosted solo exhibitions for Schiwetz's work, and by the 1950s he had been showing his work regionally and nationally and winning prizes, particularly for his watercolors.

In Terlingua, Schiwetz presents a classic example of Texas Regionalism at its best. He has embraced a modernist approach using vivid colors, strong compositions, and semi-abstract forms. The result is a haunting, surrealistic town-scape-complete with the ruins of a Spanish church and crumbling town buildings-that evokes the poverty, isolation, and decay found in many West Texas towns in the 1950s. While there have been numerous watercolors and commercial sketches available to collectors, his oil paintings remain rare.




*Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report. Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.