$82,950
William Henry Johnson (African/American, 1901-1970) Coastal Surf Signed "W. H. Johnson" l.r. Oil on canvas, 23 1/2 x 31 1/2 in. (59.7 x 80.0 cm), framed. Condition: Craquelure. Provenance: Through a Huntington, Long Island estate. N.B. The present work likely dates to Johnson's second Denmark phase (ca. 1932), after Johnson and his Danish artist wife returned from their three-month stay in Tunisia. His works after this influential trip are characterized by "a more vibrant palette and a thick, impasted texture" applied with both brush and palette knife, giving the impression of "wet clay." (1) (1) Steve Turner and Victoria Dailey, William H. Johnson: Truth Be Told, Los Angeles: Seven Arts Publishing, 1998, p. 26. Craquelure, with subtle stretcher bar marks along l. and r sides. Discolored varnish, surface grime. Staining to reverse of canvas.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2011-05-20
