Helen Malta Urban Industrial Scene - Large Watercolor - WPA Era
browse these categories for related items...
Directory: Fine Art: Paintings: Watercolor: Pre 1940: Item # 1474831
Directory: Fine Art: Paintings: Watercolor: Pre 1940: Item # 1474831
Sold
Sold
Watercolor on heavy textured watercolor paper, depicting a m urban scene from the NYC area, including a high bridge in the background, industrial and apartment buildings, and a railroad car, a large sun in the sky in vivid colors, signed by artist. Measures 14 1/2" x 21". Signed in lower right, to the left of the ladder leaning on the railroad car. An exceptionally large image, fine color and energy. Condition is good, color is bright, no stains, a small edge loss along the bottom, would be covered with matted and framed. See photos for details. Sold as is. Helen Malta (1912-1975), American artist, affiliated with the WPA, lived and worked in New York City, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, and was a chronicler of her daily life, filling sketchbooks with drawings from real life, from her imagination, all with deftness and her own unique vision. She filled notebooks with sketches, much like keeping a written diary, and her interests were clearly the urban environment in which she lived, people in every age group, animals, birds, and daily activities in her world. She worked as an instructor of art in Harlem for the WPA, and seems to have been influenced by the modernist art movement, including cubist forms, linear and abstracted landscapes and city scapes, much in the style of Marin and Feininger. She also chronicled her travel, and some images are likely done as illustrative works, especially children's books. She drew and painted throughout her life, most of it from the 1930s until the 1970s. Her art includes drawings in ink, crayon, pastel, watercolors and gouache, and oil on canvas or board.The bulk of her works have come to light in recent years, though she has had numerous of her wonderful scenes in major institutions, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Her earliest works are signed Helen Wagner, her maiden name. She painted and drew many human figures and many have a rather somber or even sad appearance, perhaps an indication of her own personal life. Leaving New York as a young adult also had something of an impact, as she made notes on some of her drawings that reflected her desire to stay in NYC. Malta is a wonderful example of art of the urban landscape, and her own personal style is always present in every sketch or finished work. She represents the era of WPA supported art, the art of the people, often folky and stark, a wonderful view of a changing time in America. From a large collection of her works, please see other listings in our shop. Please see all photos for details and email any questions.
Watercolor on heavy textured watercolor paper, depicting a m urban scene from the NYC area, including a high bridge in the background, industrial and apartment buildings, and a railroad car, a large sun in the sky in vivid colors, signed by artist. Measures 14 1/2" x 21". Signed in lower right, to the left of the ladder leaning on the railroad car. An exceptionally large image, fine color and energy. Condition is good, color is bright, no stains, a small edge loss along the bottom, would be covered with matted and framed. See photos for details. Sold as is. Helen Malta (1912-1975), American artist, affiliated with the WPA, lived and worked in New York City, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, and was a chronicler of her daily life, filling sketchbooks with drawings from real life, from her imagination, all with deftness and her own unique vision. She filled notebooks with sketches, much like keeping a written diary, and her interests were clearly the urban environment in which she lived, people in every age group, animals, birds, and daily activities in her world. She worked as an instructor of art in Harlem for the WPA, and seems to have been influenced by the modernist art movement, including cubist forms, linear and abstracted landscapes and city scapes, much in the style of Marin and Feininger. She also chronicled her travel, and some images are likely done as illustrative works, especially children's books. She drew and painted throughout her life, most of it from the 1930s until the 1970s. Her art includes drawings in ink, crayon, pastel, watercolors and gouache, and oil on canvas or board.The bulk of her works have come to light in recent years, though she has had numerous of her wonderful scenes in major institutions, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Her earliest works are signed Helen Wagner, her maiden name. She painted and drew many human figures and many have a rather somber or even sad appearance, perhaps an indication of her own personal life. Leaving New York as a young adult also had something of an impact, as she made notes on some of her drawings that reflected her desire to stay in NYC. Malta is a wonderful example of art of the urban landscape, and her own personal style is always present in every sketch or finished work. She represents the era of WPA supported art, the art of the people, often folky and stark, a wonderful view of a changing time in America. From a large collection of her works, please see other listings in our shop. Please see all photos for details and email any questions.
