Lot 33: Frederic Whitaker N.A. (1891-1980 La Jolla, CA)

''Military Prison (No. 2)'', Spain, signed lower right: Frederic Whitaker, dated and titled verso: August 1953, watercolor on paper under glass, paper size: 22'' H x 30'' W, est: $1200/1800. Exhibited: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA, September 1953; Salmagundi Club, New York, NY, March 1954; Providence Art Club, Providence, R.I., January 1955; Academic Artists Association Inc., Springfield, MA, ''Sixth Annual Exhibit'', February - March 1955, illustrated on brochure; Traditional Art Show, Hollywood, CA, May 1955; Baltimore Watercolor Society, Baltimore, MD, March 1956; Connecticut Watercolor Society, Avon, CT, November 1957; Springville High School Art Association, Springville, UT, March 1960; American Artist Professional League, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY, October 1960; Bridgeport Public Library, Bridgeport, CT, September 1961; Hof Brau Haus, New Haven, CT, April 1962. Literature: N. Kent, ''Watercolor Methods'', Watson-Guptil Publications, 1955, illustrated; F. Whitaker, N.A., ''Guide to Painting Better Pictures'', New York, NY, 1965, p. 18, illustrated. Note: Frederic Whitaker was an important American representational watercolorist who exhibited extensively throughout the country and won over 150 awards during his career. Whitaker was an active member of the American Watercolor Society, among other arts organizations, and served as AWS president from 1949-1956. He was a National Academician, a frequent juror and wrote two books and many articles about his craft. The present work is the second slightly re-worked version of the watercolor ''Military Prison'' that was painted circa 1952. In this version, Whitaker modifies some architectural elements on the background buildings and enhances the details of the hanging clothes and lantern at the left. Whitaker wrote about this painting in his 1965 book ''Guide to Painting Better Pictures'': ''The great simple square of the light building, contrasted against the dark, ominous sky and the foreground masses, would be overpowering were it not for the lone figure of the soldier which attracts the eye and then sends it on an exploratory journey about the scene.'' (F. Whitaker, p. 18). This painting was widely exhibited throughout the country between fall 1953 and summer 1963 before the artist gave the painting to San Diego art dealer Arvilla Huney.

paper size: 22'' H x 30'' W

watercolor on paper under glass

Visual: Generally good condition. The paper loose, not mounted.

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA, September 1953; Salmagundi Club, New York, NY, March 1954; Providence Art Club, Providence, R.I., January 1955; Academic Artists Association Inc., Springfield, MA, ''Sixth Annual Exhibit'', February - March 1955, illustrated on brochure; Traditional Art Show, Hollywood, CA, May 1955; Baltimore Watercolor Society, Baltimore, MD, March 1956; Connecticut Watercolor Society, Avon, CT, November 1957; Springville High School Art Association, Springville, UT, March 1960; American Artist Professional League, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY, October 1960; Bridgeport Public Library, Bridgeport, CT, September 1961; Hof Brau Haus, New Haven, CT, April 1962

N. Kent, ''Watercolor Methods'', Watson-Guptil Publications, 1955, illustrated; F. Whitaker, N.A., ''Guide to Painting Better Pictures'', New York, NY, 1965, p. 18, illustrated

A. Huney Gallery, San Diego, CA, acquired directly from the artist, 1976; Collection of Gerald and Georgia Brommer, Studio City, CA, acquired from the above, 1988

Frederic Whitaker was an important American representational watercolorist who exhibited extensively throughout the country and won over 150 awards during his career. Whitaker was an active member of the American Watercolor Society, among other arts organizations, and served as AWS president from 1949-1956. He was a National Academician, a frequent juror and wrote two books and many articles about his craft. The present work is the second slightly re-worked version of the watercolor ''Military Prison'' that was painted circa 1952. In this version, Whitaker modifies some architectural elements on the background buildings and enhances the details of the hanging clothes and lantern at the left. Whitaker wrote about this painting in his 1965 book ''Guide to Painting Better Pictures'': ''The great simple square of the light building, contrasted against the dark, ominous sky and the foreground masses, would be overpowering were it not for the lone figure of the soldier which attracts the eye and then sends it on an exploratory journey about the scene.'' (F. Whitaker, p. 18). This painting was widely exhibited throughout the country between fall 1953 and summer 1963 before the artist gave the painting to San Diego art dealer Arvilla Huney