The cityscape was a popular genre for mid-century art, marking a fascination with the country's post-war move from a primarily agrarian society to an urban, industrial one. Colors, predictably, were in line with popular colors for furniture...blues, oranges, yellows, browns, greens. Many of the pieces included reflections reflected images of buildings or bridges.
Whether in a fine oil painting or a mass produced print cranked out by the numerous companies specializing in inexpensive wall decor, the city was celebrated by artists of every ilk.
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Skyline by B. Manion
midcenturia.com |
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Abstract cityscape by Robert
casavictoriala.com |
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Cityscape by W.T. Carlsen
ebay.com - deruchette |
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Donald Art Company, 1964
etsy.com - modatomic |
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Skyline by Edgar Stareck
midcenturia.com |
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Reflected Skyline by Ozz Franca
etsy.com - SkyWayVintage |
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Metropolitan Harbor by Allan McClain
mikesmcm.com |
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City of Fantasy by Ozz Franca
midcenturia.com |
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Vanguard Studios raised styrene cityscape
mikesmcm.com |
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| My Van Hoople bridge/cityscape |
I'll take them all but I really like the W.T. Carlson and the Donaldson Art Co. pieces You don't have any Van Dammitts...
ReplyDeleteThe Carlsen one is my favorite...and, ooops, silly me...I should have identified the bottom one as a Van Dammitt, shouldn't I?
DeleteOooo, I love these. I have a vintage painting (from a thrift shop) that is a fun, abstracted city-scape with very retro colours (oranges and browns). A lot like the one by Allan McClain. I haven't yet found the place to hang it, but now I'm tempted to go find it.
ReplyDeleteYes, do. That sounds perfect for the townhouse!
DeleteI found one of those paintings last year at church rummage sale for $5. It has the retro colors of gold, avocado, and brown, and it reminds me a view of San Francisco from across the bay complete with the reflection of buildings in the water. It is interesting how similar the styles are from artist to artist or mass produced. I think mine was mass produced but it is signed "R. Styles". It still isn't hanging nearly a year later!
ReplyDeleteHurry and hang it and show us some pictures! It sounds too pretty not to have on the wall.
DeleteEverytime I see one of these I snap them up. I think they're really nice and they always sell well! I was just yesterday over at a potential refinishing customers home looking at a desk he needs done and he had the most amazing abstract cityscape I have ever seen. It appears to be a perspective looking down on Manhattan for the Empire state building and hangs in the perfect location. He lives in a second floor apartment and as you hit the top of the stairs and turn around it resides on the wall above the stairwell but below where you stand which really sets off the perpective! I'm going to ask permission to get some photos next time over. He has a great MCM place and even a couple of the prettiest Maurizio tempestini lamps I have ever seen!
ReplyDeleteThat does sound like it would be very dramatic. I hope he will let you snap a few shots of it the next time you're there.
DeleteI'll have to agree with the earlier comment, the one by Carlsen is the standout for me.
ReplyDeleteI find the colors in that one so beautiful!
DeleteGreat post! I just recently came across a J Windsor cityscape and was blown away to see so many other cityscape artists. Never knew it was a trend, thanks
ReplyDeleteI wasn't familiar with J Windsor, so I googled it. Very cool!
DeleteMe either!
ReplyDeleteI have an interesting oil painting by Van Hoople and would like to sell. Any takers or advice on where I can sell it perhaps? I'll send a pic if anyone's interested.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts and consideration.
Greg
I recently sold the one you see on this post, which was about 4' long, on Craigslist. While they are interesting and look wonderful in a mid-century home, they aren't very valuable, since they were mass produced and are very common. If I recall, I originally listed mine for $175 but took $150 for it.
DeleteI saw one listed online, and the seller said it was valued at $400, but he was only selling it for $200 (which is much more realistic than the $400 price). Even at $200, it has remained unsold for quite some time. I saw another one that was 35" long, and it sold on liveauctioneers for $25. I think $150 is a fair price to aim for, but you'll probably only get that if you sell it yourself. If you try to sell it to a mid-century dealer, they probably wouldn't offer you more than $25-50 for it.
very interesting.... I own a W T Carlsen....it is a special painting for our family... years ago in 1965, my parents bought their first home...they did not have much money at the time...and they went to Toronto to buy some drapes for the living room and furniture.. While there, they saw this painting on display in the window of an art gallery...they fell in love with it ..and bought it..at the time for over $500. ... Needless to say they had no money left for the drapes..
ReplyDeleteThat painting has hung center stage in every house they ever owned...proudly displayed ...framing their teak wall units..and professionally illuminated with ceiling spot lights.... the painting followed them into retirement to their home on Vancouver Island..on the Sea....When my parents died in 2003...the painting passed to me....
It took me 3 years to track down the artist...Carlsen...surprisingly even though there are registries here in Canada with thousands of artists...there was nothing on him...
I finally located him (2007). living in new Jersey ..an old man in his 80's.... I told him the story of the painting and our family and he was truly touched....
So a little information for you on the artist Carlsen... He is a 3rd generation of artist, and emigrated from Denmark to Toronto, Canada... my painting is the original of his cityscapes...it depicts Toronto skyline at night in the rain...
When I spoke to Carlsen about it...he did not even remember the painting...I had to mail him a picture...
He told me he was somewhat embarrassed about what he calls his abstract period....although he said he loved to paint in colours....When he came to Canada in the 60's modern abstract was all the rage...and people liked his work..and it sold extremely well, here in Toronto...to the point that a lot of local artists were jealous of his success....
He eventually moved to NYC..... and continued with his city scapes...
Carlsen said his father always told him...unless you can first paint and draw what you see...that you are not an artist..once you can do that...you can paint whatever you wish...
So Carlsen went back to painting more traditional work....
So since I cannot see any upload button on this blog...I cannot show you my painting...but I will email it to Dana,,,and she may post it if she wants...
cheers to all
Michael..A. Toronto, Canada
I have a Van Hoople that commissioned in 1965 at his Boston, Massachusetts galery, it is the Bridge/Cityscape scene, blues, greens, yellows & oranges, very beautiful and in perfect condition. I am the original and only owner of this painting.
ReplyDeleteI would like to sell it, can you help me?
Thank You,
Charlene