Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Orla Muff
'Nana', Art Deco, Paris, Berlin, Weimar Republic, Max Reinhardt Theater, Smoking

1934

About the Item

Signed lower left, 'Muff' for Orla Muff (Danish, 1903-1984), titled, 'Nana' and dated 1934. After winning a national drawing competition at the age of 14, Orla Muff studied with the theatrical painter, Carl Lund from 1917-1921. He followed this with extended study throughout Europe, including in Stockholm and Paris. He achieved widespread acclaim as a designer of elaborate Art Deco sets for prominent European revues and theatrical productions, including for Copenhagen’s Folk Theater and Max Reinhardt’s Theater in Berlin. In the early 1930s, Muff turned his attention to easel painting, creating portraits and mythologically-derived figural works that often incorporated a high degree of Art Deco stylization. This study of a young member of Weimar Berlin's demi-monde was painted when Orla Muff was in his early thirties. It showcases both the artist’s gift for dramatic composition and an intuitive talent for psychological penetration. Exhibitions: Horse and Naked Women (1928); Woman with Golden Hair (1931); Leda and the Swan (exhibit 1940); Mountains by night (exhibit 1940); Midsummer Night's Dream (exhibit 1940); Landscape, Tisvilde (exhibit 1944); H.C. Andersen figures (wooden sculptures, 1947); H.C Andersen figures (ceramics, 1950s, for fa. Søholm); ill. with motifs from the Bible, intended for use in school films (from 1957); Triptych (1962-64); endv. ill. by H.C. Andersen's fairy tales, posters, theater decorations and costumes for the Mayol Theater, Oslo (1921-22); to Ernst Rolf's revues, Sth. (1923-28); to Max Reinhardt's Theater, Berlin (including for Faust, 1930); to Folketeatret, Copenhagen. (Värmländingene, 1934); to Wintergarten, Berlin (1939). Reference: Weilbach, Dansk Kunstnerleksikon, the Castle and Cultural Agency, Copenhagen; Extrabl. 4/13/1940; 17.7.1940; Berl. Time. 7/29/1957; Day. Nyh. 9/22/1957; et al.
  • Creator:
    Orla Muff (1903 - 1984)
  • Creation Year:
    1934
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 17.75 in (45.09 cm)Width: 21.75 in (55.25 cm)Depth: 0.75 in (1.91 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    recently cleaned and in original, unrestored condition; unframed.
  • Gallery Location:
    Santa Cruz, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3449874592
More From This SellerView All
  • 'Blue Eyed Girl', PAFA, Philadelphia Museum, Pennsylvania Artist, Trompe L'Oeil
    By Robert Childers
    Located in Santa Cruz, CA
    Signed center right, in the 53 stub, 'Childers' for Robert Childers (American, 1924-1984) and dated 1954. Robert Childers first served in the U.S. Navy for six years after graduating from Medford High School in 1941. Following World War II, he studied at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art where he was the recipient of a gold medal and, upon graduating from the Museum's school, was the recipient of a Cresson scholarship and attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where he received his Masters degree. Childers continued his education with classes at Fleisher Memorial and performed for two years with the Philadelphia Dance Theater. Following his studies, he worked in fabrics, film production, toys and illustrations for publishers with du Pont in New York City. At the same time he maintained a studio and old twine factory over the Cherry Lane Theater. He lived in Greenwich Village for 19 years before accepting a position developing new products for American Greetings Inc. While there he designed the Hobbie Holly cloth doll...
    Category

    1950s Modern Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • 'In the Sycamore', Large Figural Oil, Carmel, California Woman Artist, Muralist
    By Helen Rayburn Caswell
    Located in Santa Cruz, CA
    Signed lower right, 'Caswell' for Helen Rayburn Caswell (American, 1923-2018) and painted circa 1955. A substantial, mid-century figural oil by this listed California woman artist who showed her talent at an early age. In Saratoga, Caswell began a successful career as an artist and portrait painter, displaying in galleries in Carmel and teaching artist workshops. In addition to her work as a fine artist and portrait painter, Helen wrote and illustrated over 30 books for children and adults. In 1981, Helen moved to Occidental in Sonoma County where, in addition to continuing to paint and teach, she designed stained glass windows for the Sebastopol United Methodist Church. She was also commissioned to paint numerous murals including at St. Ignatius Church in San Francisco and for the Elizabeth Seton Center in Menlo Park.
    Category

    1950s Modern Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • 'Toreador', California, Post Impressionist Oil, Santa Monica College
    Located in Santa Cruz, CA
    Signed lower left, 'Goetz' for Jack Goetz (American, born 1919); additionally signed, verso, dated 1998, titled 'Toreador', with artist information. A dramatic figural study of a proud, young toreador shown seated, wearing an embroidered vest and gazing directly towards the viewer. Goetz has painted and exhibited with success for many years and continues to paint at the age of 104. Speaking of himself, the artist says: "I studied arts and languages at Santa Monica College, taking classes in oil and watercolor painting, sculpture, ceramics, art history and music. At the same time, I studied with master painter Sergei Bongart. Because he taught many people in the movie business, I had fun meeting and painting with people...
    Category

    1990s Modern Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • 'Sheila Antoine with Afro', Sir John Cass, Otis Art Institute, California
    By Pearl Took
    Located in Santa Cruz, CA
    Signed lower left with monogram, 'P.T.' for Pearl Took (American, 1928-2012); additionally signed verso, dated 1977 and titled 'Sheila Antoine'. Born in England, Pearl Took first st...
    Category

    1970s Modern Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Oil, Canvas

  • 'Woman in Blue', Danish Royal Academy, Brooklyn Museum, Kolding
    Located in Santa Cruz, CA
    Initialed lower left, 'A.S.' for Anton Schroder (Danish, 1893-1965) and dated 1953. A substantial, modernist oil painting of a young woman, shown seated and gazing to her left with ...
    Category

    1950s Modern Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • 'Portrait of a Young Man', Dennis the Menace, Walt Disney, Figural Oil
    Located in Santa Cruz, CA
    Signed center right, 'Ketcham' for Hank Ketcham (American, 1920-2001) and dated 1990. Hank Ketcham, the creator of Dennis the Menace, was born in Seattle...
    Category

    1990s Modern Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

You May Also Like
  • "Joni" - Mid Century Modern Portrait of a Girl in Yellow Dress in Oil on Canvas
    Located in Soquel, CA
    "Joni" - Portrait of a Girl in a Yellow Dress in Oil on Canvas Skillful portrait of a young girl by Morris Zirlin (American, 1913-1990). A young girl with wide brown eyes poses for ...
    Category

    1950s Modern Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil, Stretcher Bars

  • Female Portrait - Oil Paint by Antonio Feltrinelli - 1931
    By Antonio Feltrinelli
    Located in Roma, IT
    Female Portrait is an original artwork realized in 1931 by Antonio Feltrinelli (Milan, 1887 - Gargnano, 1942). Original Painting on canvas. Hand-signed on the lower right corner. ...
    Category

    1930s Modern Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • Large-Scale Modern Multi-Color Portrait of Noir Author Cornell Woolrich
    By Chris Pelletiere
    Located in Soquel, CA
    A striking, large-scale multi-color modernist portrait of Noir fiction writer Cornell Woolrich by Chris Pelletiere (American, B. 1942). Cornell Woolrich wrote the novel "The Rear Window." He studied at the Arts Students League and NY School of Painting and Drawing. Signed on verso with artist's information, and title "Portrait: Cornell Woolrich". Wood slat, basic frame. Image size; 50"H x 50"W. A painter, illustrator, and cartoonist Pelletiere cites his early influences as the pre-code crime and horror comics. " Life in the metropolitan area plays a significant role in my artwork. For many years he made sketches of people in the transit system. Chris Pelletiere is a painter, collage artist, illustrator, and cartoonist. His work is in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, The New York Public Library and private collections of Stephen King...
    Category

    1970s Modern Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil

  • "Modernist Portrait" Mid-20th Century Spanish Oil Painting on Canvas Framed
    By Julio Moisés Fernández de Villasante
    Located in New York, NY
    A strong modernist oil painting depicted in the 1940's by Spanish painter Julio Moises. Mostly known for his abstract figures on canvas, this piece is a w...
    Category

    1940s Modern Portrait Paintings

    Materials

    Oil, Canvas

  • Modern Portrait of Young Girl "Cathy" Oil on Canvas
    By Patricia Gren Hayes
    Located in Soquel, CA
    Modern portrait of young girl named Cathy Gutman by American painter, Patricia Gren Hayes (b. 1932), 1982. Signed and dated lower left corner and on verso Provenance: Purchased as part of larger collection of artist's work from the estate of Larry Miller fine Art Unframed. Canvas size: 18"H x 16"W. Patricia Gren Hayes (American, b. 1932) is a Bay Area Figurative & Feminist Art Movement artist who studied at Winnipeg Public Art School in 1950. She received early recognition in Museum and Gallery competitions and exhibitions and was awarded a Special Education in Art recognition by the Winnipeg Museum of Fine Art, and was awarded a scholarship to the Banff College of Fine Art. Further studies were at The University of Manitoba. She was a Member of Winnipeg Free Press Sketch Club and was a Cartoonist and paste-up for a French-English bi-weekly, in Eastern Canada; She studied outdoor impressionism in New York in 1960; in 1962, attended The California College of Arts and Crafts, and in 1976 B.A., U.C. Berkeley where she studied under Elmer Bischoff, David Simpson, Joan Brown, Felix Ruvolo, Yolanda Lopez and Vincent Perez. She started a freelance commercial art business in 1963; copyrighted a National Cartoon, 1976, and served as Exhibition Director for San Francisco Woman Artists Gallery and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 1976-1978. She was a workshop instructor at the San Francisco Woman Artists Gallery, 1977-1985; and was Manager/Owner Stanton Art Gallery, Alameda, CA, 1976-1982. Solo Exhibitions: Berkeley Marina, 1974; Oakland Center for The Visual Arts, "Images of Women", 1979 Group Exhibitions: Oakland's Dept of Education, 1963, Studio One; Alameda County Fair, 1975, 1976, 1978; San Francisco Art Festival, 1969, 1970, 1976, 1977, 1978; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 1976, 1977, 1978; San Francisco Women Artists Gallery Exhibition, award winner - 1970, 1977, 1978; Hayward Bay Fair Art Festival, award winner - 1971; Capricorn Assunder Gallery, 1973; Oakland Art Festival, 1973, 1974; Alameda Art Association, 1978; El Cerrito...
    Category

    1980s American Modern Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Oil, Canvas

  • Modernist Unfinished Portrait -- Handsome Man in Dress Uniform
    By Patricia Gren Hayes
    Located in Soquel, CA
    Modern unfinished portrait of handsome man in dress uniform by American painter, Patricia Gren Hayes (b. 1932), circa 1970. Unsigned. Provenance: Purchased as part of larger collection of artist's work from the estate of Larry Miller Unframed. Canvas size: 30"H x 36"W. Patricia Gren Hayes (American, b. 1932) is a Bay Area Figurative & Feminist Art Movement artist who studied at Winnipeg Public Art School in 1950. She received early recognition in Museum and Gallery competitions and exhibitions and was awarded a Special Education in Art recognition by the Winnipeg Museum of Fine Art, and was awarded a scholarship to the Banff College of Fine Art. Further studies were at The University of Manitoba. She was a Member of Winnipeg Free Press Sketch Club and was a Cartoonist and paste-up for a French-English bi-weekly, in Eastern Canada; She studied outdoor impressionism in New York in 1960; in 1962, attended The California College of Arts and Crafts, and in 1976 B.A., U.C. Berkel...
    Category

    1970s American Modern Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Oil, Canvas

Recently Viewed

View All