Early 20th Century Henri De Kruif Antique Watercolor Portrait of Woman With Flowers W/ Ornate Gold Frame

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This antique watercolor portrait depicts a woman in a blue dress holding a bouquet of flowers, rendered in a style … Read more This antique watercolor portrait depicts a woman in a blue dress holding a bouquet of flowers, rendered in a style consistent with early 20th-century American portraiture. The work is attributed to Henri (Henry) Gilbert De Kruif (1882–1944), a California artist known for his landscapes, figures, and illustrations, and associated with California Impressionism and later modernist experimentation under Stanton MacDonald-Wright. The composition shows a softened palette, expressive yet controlled brushwork, and subtle modernist flattening of form, all characteristic of De Kruif’s figurative works. The watercolor is signed in the lower left.

Henri De Kruif’s work is held in major institutional collections including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the San Diego Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. While best known for landscapes, he also produced figure studies and portraits throughout his career. This piece is matted and set behind glass in an ornate giltwood frame. An informational card is affixed to the back. A strong example of early California figurative watercolor with both impressionist and emerging modernist influence. See less