Albert Pels Original Oil Painting on Unstretched Canvas "To Those Who Carry the Burden"

Item Details

An original oil painting on unstretched canvas titled To Those Who Carry the Burden by well-listed American genre painter and muralist Albert Pels (Cincinnati/New York; 1910 – 1998), circa 1980s. The political piece depicts an apocaliptic scene that takes place in the outsides of the Capitol, Washington DC. The chaotic space is occupied by a crowd of military men, civilians, politicians, skeletons and jugglers, all carrying a large wooden cross, creating a warlike ambiance in contrast to strong religious references. The piece was rendered as a political commentary on the Reagan-Bush administration, both figures are situated amongst the crowd near to the upper left corner. The painting is rendered in brown and beige tonalities with intermittent bursts of red, blue and green. This work is signed in bold red to the lower right corner of the composition. Presented as a loose work without a frame.

Pels began his formal artistic training in his hometown at the Cincinnati Art Academy in 1931. Upon graduating, Pels further pursued his artistic career and moved to New York, refining his technique while continuing his education at the Art Students League, working under the likes of historically renowned artists Thomas Hart Benton, Kenneth Hayes Miller, and Alexander Brook. Pels went on to study at Beaux Arts and the American School, and in doing so established his distinctive, signature painting style and content for which he became recognized.

Sold to benefit a scholarship fund for the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

Condition

- wear and nail punctures around outer edges of canvas from a previous stretching.

Dimensions

Item #

16CIN650-026