A Walk In The Woods

It is said that art builds bridges, and that's exactly what is happening here with this astonishingly lifelike work by noted 19th century artist Narcisse Virgil Diaz de la Pena. This painter is best known for his forest and storm scenes and it's easy to see why - the view here is so authentic it is as if one were looking out on it in person! This painting is another breathtaking example from the Pantages Portfolio, which will will be available for viewing and purchase starting on September 28, 2018.

Frenchman Narcisse Virgil Diaz de la Pena (1808-1876) had a rough start in life; he became an orphan and lost a leg to infection before he was a teenager. He began formally studying art at 15, focusing on painting after first working in porcelains. Over time, he met fellow artist Théodore Rousseau and really admired Rousseau's style and ability to capture forests on canvas so well. They eventually became good friends. Diaz de la Pena worked his entire adult life as a successful and highly sought-after artist. His paintings are part of the permanent collection of the Louvre, The Wallace Collection in London, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Isabella Stewart Museum in Boston, among many others.

A Merry Mashup

This amazing reverse painting on glass from the Pantages Portfolio is certain to turn more than a few heads! This dramatic image features a sculpture comprised of items from two categories... outdoor sports (including fox hunting, fishing, birding, and powder horns) and very feminine things (like a purse, pink scarf, lace, and boudoir accessories.) What is the artist trying to say here?

This visually stunning work is by French artist Fernand Renard (1912-1990) and is signed "Paris 1937." Little about the painter's personal life or influences has been documented. His works usually feature hyper-realistic still life images, including flowers, fruit, and shells. Professionally, Renard worked as a trompe l'oeil painter for the Paris based interior decorators Maison Jansen. This company was started in 1880 and was the first truly global design firms. Maison Jansen decorated the homes and offices of royal families, famous celebrities, and politicians - including some rooms in the White House during the JFK administration. Maison Jansen closed its doors in 1989, but the firm's furnishings and decorative items are still highly sought after at auction today.

A Night On The Town

Bar none, you have to love this oil on board painting by European artist Pere Ysern Y Alie. Another highlight from the Pantages Portfolio, this example features three finely dressed ladies sitting on high chairs at a bar, and another woman, probably the barmaid, standing behind the bar. Beautiful pink flowers in a blue vase add another focal point to this colorful work.

Pere Ysern Y Alie (c.1875-1946) lived and worked in Spain and France throughout his professional career. His style included both impressionist and realist paintings, with his preferred themes including dancers, nightlife, and landscapes, especially those of the island of Mallorca.