Albert Pels Oil Painting on Unstretched Canvas of Embracing Couple

Item Details

An oil painting on an unstretched canvas of an embrace between a man and woman by well-listed American genre painter and muralist Albert Pels (Cincinnati/New York; 1910 – 1998). This work features a man embracing a woman from behind with the woman in the midst of turning and facing the man. They stand together in an architectural niche with their hands resting on a ledge in front of them. The work is portrayed in Pels’ signature style of vibrant colors, bold delineated outlines, and thick heavy impasto. This canvas is signed in black to the lower right; handwriting to the top margin and to the verso reads ‘#125’. The work is presented unstretched and unframed.

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.

Condition

- paint loss and flaking throughout; stretch marks on canvas; torn and frayed canvas edges; staple holes along edges from previous stretching.

Dimensions

- measurement of unstretched canvas; painted image measures approximately 20" W x 24" H.

Item #

16CIN650-056