I'm Not Telling

What's on your mind? Only the subject knows for sure, and he's been sworn to secrecy. This handsome, untitled painting of a pensive man is by artist Samuel Brecher, and one of the world-class portraits available through the Pantages Portfolio.

Samuel Brecher (1897-1982) was born in Austria but spent most of his adult life in New York City. He is best known for his oil on canvas portraits and landscapes. Professionally, he was also an art instructor and participated in the WPA teaching project from 1933 through 1938.  Brecher taught painting classes at the Newark School Fine & Industrial Arts from 1946 through 1974. He won many awards and exhibited extensively throughout his career, starting in 1924. Brecher's works are included in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the Newark Museum of Art, Florida Southern College, and several museums in Israel, among many others.

Blue Belle

This lovely painting of a "blue belle" is another highlight from the Pantages Portfolio. Painted in 1930's, the girl's hairstyle and dress style align perfectly to the period. Jim Pantages has a great eye for fine portraits, and this oil on canvas example by Eben Comins is certain to turn many heads.

Eben Comins (1875-1949) was born in Massachusetts and spent much of his personal and professional life around the Boston area. A Harvard graduate, he would go on to paint as well as teach for most of his career. Comins taught for over three decades at St. Paul School of Fine Arts, Wellesley College, the Swain School of Design in New Bedford, as well as through his own studio in Boston. He won a gold medal in 1915 at the Panama Exposition for his contribution to art instruction. Comins is best known for his landscapes and fresco paintings; his "Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester, Massachusetts" sold at Christie's in New York in 2009 for $32,500.

Full House

There's no place like home, where ever that may be. This thoughtful painting of an urban "full house" is another highlight from the remarkable Pantages Portfolio. This Edmund Quincy work features six people - but who knows how many more are working, playing, or sleeping within the structure as well?

Edmund Quincy (1903-1997) was somewhat of a renaissance man. He is probably best known as a portrait, townscape, and landscape artist, but he also wrote and published poetry and fiction. Quincy attended Harvard University and graduated in 1925. He also studied at the Students League and with Albert Herter, Georges Degorce, George Noyes and F. Whiting. Quincy spent much of his later life and time living and painting in Italy.

Joseph Solman Headliners

Portraits are a key category of the Pantages Portfolio. And there's no denying that Jim Pantages had a keen eye for this distinctive and often highly personal genre of art. Judy recently came across two marvelous portraits by painter Joseph Solman (1909-2008).  The first, pictured above, is of a beautiful young girl who is looking intently at something - the artist, perhaps? Everything about this work is lovely and feminine, with the color pink a unifying element from top to bottom.  

And here we have another Solman portrait, this one of a woman dressed entirely in black. It's interesting that her facial expression and appearance are that of an older lady, yet her hair is brown, not grey. Solman was very well known for his "Subway Gouaches," and this is one of them. These were portraits of real people he saw riding on the New York City subway system. Solman, who was born in Russia but came to the United States in 1912, was a founder of "The Ten," a group of NYC expressionist painters in the 1930's. The New York Times, in a 1964 article about Solman's subway-inspired works, referred to him as a "Pari-Mutuel Picasso."

Well Hello, Handsome!

Oh boy! It's easy to see why this portrait of a beautiful child is Judy's favorite find this week from the Pantages Portfolio. It is skillfully done and beautifully executed - with a timeless look and feel to it. The boy's expression is both earnest and irresistible - with a hint of "Peter Pan" to it.

This painting was created by artist Henning Ryden (1869-1939) who was born in Sweden but came to the United States in 1891. Initially trained as an engraver, his portfolio would grow to include paintings and sculptures over time. Ryden's work was featured in a number of nationally recognized exhibits. He is also known for his award and commemorative medals, having produced examples for organizations including the PGA (Professional Golfers Association), the Colombian Exhibition in Chicago, and the Chicago Horticultural Society.