Lot 38018: SCOTT GENTLING (American, b. 1942) Harvest

SCOTT GENTLING (American, b. 1942) Harvest Watercolor on paper 29 x 22 inches (73.7 x 55.9 cm) window Signed lower left: Scott Gentling Scott and Stuart Gentling could be called the ultimate Texas painters, especially when it comes to painting the land, flora, and fauna of the state. Born in Minnesota, the twins came to Fort Worth as young boys. After separating to attend Tulane and one year of law school at the University of Texas, Stuart joined Scott at the Pennsylvania Academy of Art. After their studies, the Gentlings came home and began painting the landscapes, people, and still-lifes of Texas. Their travels across the state from the ranches of South and West Texas to the Piney Woods of East Texas to subjects close to home in North Texas have provided them with a wealth of subject matter. Unfortunately, Stuart passed away in 2005, leaving Scott alone to continue their many ongoing projects. The brothers are famous for their varied interests, which include but are far from limited to taxidermy, publishing studies of art and history, and composing classical music, as well as painting. Stuart was even asked to present a paper on some of their theories regarding the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan to scholars at The National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. The twins are proof that when a few diverse interests and vast knowledge are combined with their incredible artistic skills, the finished products are masterpieces of true modern Renaissance men. Harvest was painted by Scott Gentling and is the original work for the ninth plate in their book, Of Birds and Texas. This watercolor is expertly painted in his eloquent and painstakingly accurate style, so heavily influenced by Tonalism. It is full of deeper meaning, often mystical and historical in nature, which is a hallmark of Scott's work and a byproduct of his many interests. In his book, the artist writes about Harvest, inspired while visiting his friends Eddie and Clemmie. He writes "The black people in Floyd Valley in East Texas have their own ways of dealing with creatures who threaten their crops. Many of the older people here are heirs to ancient superstitions...in one field...stood several scarecrows dressed and turbaned like voodoo priestesses celebrating some ancient ritual. Around the neck of one of these hung the body of a recently killed crow, magical and fetishlike. Even though they were not really needed at this time of year, these specter figures appeared to be well maintained, the dead crow more an offering to mysterious field totems than a warning to crop raiders."