Emerson Burkhart Oil Painting of an Oil Rig

Item Details

Emerson Burkhart (Ohio; 1905 – 1969)
Untitled (oil rig), mid 20th century
Oil painting on canvas
Signed to lower left

A mid-century oil painting on canvas by 20th century Ohioan artist Emerson Burkhart (1905 – 1969). The painting depicts an expressive view of an oil rig painted in heavy impasto. It is signed to the lower left and is presented in a wooden frame with a hanging wire.

Burkhart studied at the renowned Art Student’s League and then went to Provincetown where he worked under the tutelage of Northeastern painter Charles Hawthorne (1872 – 1930). He was primarily known as an American Scene painter, and took special interest in documenting African-American life in Columbus, Ohio. He was commissioned for two Works Progress Administration (WPA) murals during the height of his career and traveled as ‘Artist in Residence’ for the American International School for a time after the death of his wife.

Burkhart’s works are represented in the collections of many distinguished institutions, including National Portrait Gallery; the Butler Institute of American Art; Springfield Museum of Art; The Canton Museum of Art; The Columbus Museum of Art; and the Ohio Historical Society, among others.

Condition

- patch repair to canvas to lower right of verso. Several areas of craquelure. Light wear to frame.

Dimensions

- measures frame. Visible image measures 38.5" W x 28" H.

Item #

18CIN698-027