ALBERT FRANCIS KING (1854-1945) noted Pennsylvania still life painter impressionistic 1920 landscape

Fine Art : Paintings : American : 20th Century : American Impressionism

 

Oil on canvas landscape of a woodsy canyon with small river, 22" by 27" (25" by 30" as framed), signed at lower right "A F King" and dated there 1920. This is likely a western Pennsylvania scene from the area near Johnstown known as "Scalp Level". Artists congregated there in the late 19th and early 20th century as they were attracted to the unspoiled scenery, which stood out in stark contrast to the industrializing city of Pittsburgh to the west. George Hetzel is considered the leader of the so-called "Scalp Level School", but others, including King, painted in the area. This painting, which came out of a local estate in Los Angeles, is EXTREMELY DIRTY, with SMOKE residue doing its best to hide the beauty underneath. I've rarely seen a painting which needs cleaning so desperately. The sky is yellowish from that smoke but once removed I'd imagine its original blue and white would quickly return, and similar comments apply to the rest of the painting. There is a small puncture at upper left center, light craquelure, and so forth, but the main condition issue is the greasy grime. The signature seems to be not easily photographed but I guarantee the work to be by King. Note the Omaha framing sticker. King was known to have spent the final years of his life in Nebraska, and this came from the collection of an individual from Nebraska. See the net for images of the tightly detailed still life works by King. Shipping wizard figures are guesstimates. SEE HUNDREDS OF WORKS NOW IN MY SHOP.

Item ID: JB01259