Beautiful Stanley Woodward Painting of the Red Barn and Farm Coming to Auction

We had previously posted about Stanley Woodward and his relationship with Francis Quirk. You can see the post here. 

Stark was a talented artist and a kindred spirit to Quirk. Perhaps it was that they both painted Maine and nautical scenes. 

We have found Stark's fixation on a red house barn complex fascinating. He appears to have painted it many times from different angles and in different season.  And when we saw this painting coming up for auction, we felt it warranted another post for two reasons. First, it is a fine painting of considerable beauty. And second, it features his "motif number one."  The painting below is titled "Shadowed Past".

Stanley Woodward "Shadowed Past," 20TH CENTURY, oil on canvas, signed L/R; 25'' x 30''

STANLEY WOODWARD (American 1890-1970) , "Shadowed Past," 20TH CENTURY, oil on canvas, signed framed 33 3/4'' x 38 1/2''

STANLEY WOODWARD Signature

What makes this painting work?

There is a great deal going on in this painting, so there is much to discuss. Our eyes are naturally drawn to white spaces. Thus, when this painting is first viewed the eye is drawn to the vertical white trim board in the center. This lightness pulls forward and gives the house a 3-D affect pulling that end of the main house tout of the canvas and toward the viewer like the prow of a ship.

Diagonals in "Shadowed Past"

Since, the composition is like a series of diagonal lines pointing to the left our eye is taken that direction to the tree. It then follows up the tree and out its branch delivering us back again to the center of the painting. 

There is a lot of subtle technique in this painting. Imagine how it would look without the chimneys, the dark green patch in the lower left or the overhanging branches.

The softer color palate is striking with softer reds in the house, yellowish greens in the fauna and even some pale oranges. The tree branches and their shadows add interest to the farm house; forcing the viewer to spend time discerning its nuances. 

All of this activity is well executed in a painterly plein air fashion, but with a steady hand where it matters. 

You can bid on the painting in person in Houston on May 20 at Simpson Galleries or you can bid online through Liveauctioneers. Somebody is going to walk away with a lovely work of art.

Francis Quirk Drawing of Religious Figure to be Auctioned

Echoes Antiques and Auction Gallery in Seaford, New York will soon be auctioning a 1971 drawing that is listed as being of Pope John Paul I on May 24, 2022. 

The drawing appears to be in pencil, charcoal or crayon and illustrates a religious figure interacting with a female. The drawing encompasses the heads of the two individuals focusing on the left figure shown in profile and the right female figure shown from slightly behind profile.  Because she is drawn in a lighter hand and from behind the focus shifts to the religious silhouette that is outlined with a heavy line. 

An important aspect of the drawing is actually undrawn. And it is the line of eye contact between the two individuals. They are clearly engaged, and the invisible sight line crosses the plane of the left figure's silhouette at a right angle giving it a sense of 'directness' or connection. 

1971 Drawing by Francis Quirk

The description lists the drawing as being of Pope John Paul I, but this attribution is questionable for three reasons. First John Paul I did not become Pope until 1978, well after Quirk's death in 1974. While it is possible the image could be of John Paul I before he became pope, this is unlikely given the next two reasons. The figure does not look like John Paul I as he had larger ears and a more hawkish nose. And third John Paul I frequently wore glasses in his later years. 

Pope John Paul I

This begs the question as to the identity of the religious figure, but alas, our research has not been able to solve that question. There was no other papal visit to the US in 1971 and we are unaware if Quirk traveled overseas at this time. We also executed a brief and fruitless search of the owner of the drawing according to the label on the reverse, Margaret M. DuBois.  

The close up of the signature appears to be that of Quirk executed in pen. Looking at it closely, one can almost see a pencil signature below the ink or it may be a reflection from the frame glass. There also has been some toning of the drawing paper where it touches the matting.

The label on the back lists Margaret M.(?) DuBois as the owner.
It was framed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania