Jack Savitsky (American, 1910-1991) Marker pen and ink on canvas board, depicting a plot of sunflowers in a Shaker-type landscape. Signed and dated "Savitsky. . . '84" lower right. Sight image: 14" H x 11" W. Framed: 20" H x 17" W.

Condition: Overall good condition.

Artist Bio: A highly listed artist, Savitsky went into the Pennsylvania coal mines in Lancaster, PA when he was 12. His education ended at that point. As a child, Savitsky enjoyed drawing animals, and his son encouraged him to paint and draw when he left the coal mines in 1960. In fact, many paintings available today come from the estate of Jack Savitt and his wife.

The Biblical concept of a Peaceable Kingdom was a common theme for Savitsky. Many of his signatures end with three dots, which he said represent the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. He was a self-taught artist who grew up working in Pennsylvania coal mines. His naive paintings--many depicting life in the coal country or Biblical images--were discovered and promoted by fellow Pennsylvania artist Sterling Strauser, who introduced Savitsky to the New York art world in the 1960s. Savitsky died of black lung disease in 1991.