Albert Pels Oil Painting on Unstretched Canvas of House in Chilo

Item Details

An oil painting on an unstretched canvas of a house in Chilo by well-listed American genre painter and muralist Albert Pels (Cincinnati/New York; 1910 – 1998), dated 1948. This work features a gray farm house with a red roof, possibly depicting a house that belonged to the artist’s brother-in-law, located in Chilo. A woman stands at the door and a red car drives down the dirt road that winds to the front of the house. The work is portrayed in Pels’ signature style of vibrant colors, bold delineated outlines, and textural painterly brushstrokes. This canvas is signed to the right of the lower center; handwriting to the verso reads the date, ‘Chilo, O.’ likely referring to a rural town in Ohio, and ’Chic’s’ possibly referring to the artist’s brother-in-law. 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

- minor paint loss; fraying at canvas edges.

Dimensions

- measurement of unstretched canvas; painted image measures approximately 20" W x 16" H.

Item #

16CIN650-070