Howard Chandler Christy (American, 1872-1952). Spirit of Pioneer America. Oil on canvas. 36 x 30 inches (91.4 x 76.2 cm)...

Description

Howard Chandler Christy (American, 1872-1952)
Spirit of Pioneer America
Oil on canvas
36 x 30 inches (91.4 x 76.2 cm)
Signed lower left: Howard Chandler Christy

Property from the Collection of The Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio, Sold to Benefit the Management and Care of the Museum Collections.

PROVENANCE:
The collection of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Cortell, Lyndhurst, Ohio;
The Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio, gift from the above, 1974.

Spirit of Pioneer America features a trio of figures including a pioneer woman in a doorway flanked by a minuteman holding a rifle on the left and a likeness of frontiersman Daniel Boone in his buckskins, also with a rifle, on the right. The wonderfully free brushwork Christy used to describe the foreground figures as well as the Revolutionary War soldiers and vegetation in the background point to a mature effort. The intended publication for this illustration is unfortunately not recorded.

The previous owners of Spirit of Pioneer America and Texas Centennial: 100 Years of Progress, Helen and Ralph Cortell of Lyndhurst, Ohio, were great fans of the work of Howard Chandler Christy and owned many examples of his painting and drawing. Unsurprisingly, the illustrator's images of beautiful women appealed to the couple who owned successful chains of beauty salons. Their original business, the Anne Fisher Beauty Salon, was a state-of-the-art health and beauty salon named for Helen's mother. Eventual expansion produced several other salon chains, including Andre Duval, Haircare Harmony and Best Cuts.


More information about Howard Chandler Christy. See also: Christy, Howard Chandler Artist.



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