Lot 1016: John Burton Harter (American/New Orleans,

John Burton Harter (American/New Orleans, 1940-2002), "Bowl with Bell Peppers", oil on masonite, signed and dated "2001" lower left, titled, estate number "2001.195" and J. B. Harter Trust label en verso, 12 in. x 18 in., unframed. Harter was especially known for his keen interpretation of gay sensibility, including his most personal creation of an AIDS WALL, a tribute to more than fifty friends who died of AIDS. In addition to a good number of self-portraits, Harter produced numerous landscapes, still life paintings and riveting portraits. After Harter's untimely death, New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center presented "The Culture of Queer: A Tribute to J.B. Harter" and his work has been exhibited in Paris and at the Leslie-Lohman Gay Art Foundation in New York City. Note: John Burton Harter made his career in the museum world, starting at The Historic New Orleans Collection and ending as curator of collections at the Louisiana State Museum, before retiring in 1991