Description: This is an evocative and Fine Vintage Modern Surrealist French Harlequin Girl Oil Painting on Canvas, by the renowned mid 20th century California Modernist painter of Parisian life, John Morris (1920? - 1991.) This artwork depicts a sultry female harlequin or mime standing in front a large wall, which is covered with various posters for theatrical and musical performances. She gracefully extends her hand toward an interesting object on the ground nearby, possibly some kind of chair or surrealist art sculpture. The subject is depicted with white face makeup, a serene facial expression, and a classically beautiful French face. She wears a comically large white bowtie, tight fitting blue skirt, and vertically striped tights underneath. Her heels can be seen rising out of her flat pink dance shoes, as if she is about to make a graceful movement across the sidewalk. Signed: "John Morris" inconspicuously at the lower right edge. This piece likely dates to the early 1960's. Approximately 31 1/8 x 37 1/8 inches (including frame.) Actual artwork is approximately 24 x 30 inches. Good overall condition for half a century of age and storage, with one small pinhole tear to the canvas, fine age-related craquelure throughout the painted surface, and mild scuffing and edge wear to the ornate hand carved wooden frame (please see photos.) Acquired from an affluent old collection in Los Angeles County, California. Priced to Sell. Original paintings by John Morris are in the permanent collections of the Modern Museum of Art, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the Honolulu Academy of Art, and the Santa Barbara Museum, among others. He was collected by Bing Crosby, Mrs. Aristotle Onassis, Frederick Loewe, and was even honored in 2006 with the inclusion of his work in the prestigious galleries of the Vatican. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! About the Artist: John Morris Born: before 1920 - Laguna Beach, CaliforniaDied: 1991Known for: Landscape with figures, portrait, Paris street scene painting John Morris (before 1920 - 1991) was active/lived in California. John Morris is known for Landscape with figures, portrait, Paris street scene painting. John Morris (1920-1991) – a California artist who painted early scenes of the South of France. The American Impressionist John Morris was honored in 2006 with the inclusion of his work in the world-renowned galleries of the Vatican. A rare tribute to the painter who has established a loyal following on the West Coast as well as gaining popularity with exhibitions in New York, Chicago and Palm Beach.Born in Laguna Beach, California, his early love of painting manifested itself at the age of fifteen when he painted portraits of people at local fairs. Even then, he wished to capture the essence of the subject rather than the outward appearance, a principle he has followed throughout his career. He painted and studied constantly until he joined the Armed Services during WW II, and became an official combat artist in the South Pacific. His work was included in the exhibition at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. during WWII. Very few living artists have been accorded this special honor. He went on to paint in Italy and England as well as in the US, but his greatest love was France, which he visited yearly.He was so taken by French art that he suggested that artists should go there to become exposed to the "sense of Livingness", and as he put it, "The voluptuous spirit of the soul" which exists in France. Morris has said, "I have tried all the schools, and with the Impressionists I get what I want to see in color without being too overly explicit. In each canvas you can bring out something that is a communication with some spiritual and virtual response from something that you are looking at as you paint and as you work you can try to paint what you see with your eyes. If you reach that communication with the painting it should be that that is Impressionism." To John Morris beauty could be seen in playing with children. There are nuns in his family, and he was impressed with the beauty of ritual, yet he captured the human qualities as well. In 1958 he established an art center in Palm Springs, California where he taught students, many of whom are celebrities of the film industry. He also had studios in Honolulu, Paris, Rome and London. However, in 1967 he gave up teaching to devote his energies and talent full time to painting. These paintings reveal the beauty of life. They are splashed with light and color. He captured, on the contemporary scene, the qualities expressed by artists such as Monet, Pisarro and those artists who developed the principle of Impressionism. He died in 1991.His paintings are included in the collections of the Modern Museum of Art, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo; the Honolulu Academy of Art; the Santa Barbara Museum; Galerie Drop d'Or; Galleries Ensieme, Roma, Cannes, in addition to other museums. His works have also been featured at the Festival of Two Worlds, by President Kubleck of Brazil, and the Kennedy Library in Boston. His works have been collected by Mrs. Aristotle Onassis, Frederick Loewe, Bing Crosby, and many others worldwide.
Price: 3500 USD
Location: Orange, California
End Time: 2024-10-24T16:52:08.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Artist: John Morris
Unit of Sale: Single Piece
Signed By: John Morris
Size: Large
Signed: Yes
Period: Post-War (1940-1970)
Material: Canvas, Oil
Region of Origin: California, USA
Framing: Framed
Subject: Actors, Ballerina, Billboard, Cabaret, Circus, Cityscapes, Community Life, Concerts, Costumes, Dancing, Figures, France, Hotels & Restaurants, Inspirational, Ladies, Landscape, Paris, Silhouettes, States & Counties, Still Life, Women, Working Life, Europe
Type: Painting
Year of Production: 1960
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Item Height: 37 1/8 in
Style: Figurative Art, Illustration Art, Impressionism, Modernism, Portraiture, Surrealism
Theme: Advertising, Architecture, Art, Cities & Towns, Continents & Countries, Cultures & Ethnicities, Dance, Events & Festivals, Exhibitions, Famous Places, Fashion, History, People, Portrait, Theater
Features: One of a Kind (OOAK)
Production Technique: Oil Painting
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Handmade: Yes
Item Width: 31 1/8 in
Time Period Produced: 1960-1969
