1970s Impressionist Original Savannah Art Myrtle Jones Old Desoto Historic District

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This Myrtle Jones Original Savannah Artwork from a Private Collection. It is large with vibrant watercolor featuring an Impressionism streetscape … Read more This Myrtle Jones Original Savannah Artwork from a Private Collection. It is large with vibrant watercolor featuring an Impressionism streetscape painting of the historic Old Desoto Hotel in the Downtown Historic District in Savannah, Georgia, painted in 1972. It is one of the artist's finest paintings, a bold statement of acrylic on canvas and gold gilt wood frame. It represents the DeSoto Hotel in the early 1960's. This unique piece of artwork captures the essence of tourism, travel, landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, community life, and social history in the famous city of Savannah. The painting is an original work by the artist, making it a valuable addition to any collection of historical artwork from the region.

In the artist's own book called "A Savannah Experience: An artistic expression of my life in Savannah" she chose to feature this piece of art. In the book she features a photo of her sitting in the floor of her Gaston Street house working on her painting, The Old DeSoto Hotel, and the original drawing she made prior to painting. She explains the painting, "The old DeSoto Hotel has been demolished, replaced by the current DeSoto Hilton Hotel on Liberty and Bull Streets."

"Myrtle Jones, January 23, 1913 – February 15, 2005, was an artist whose paintings commonly featured streetscapes, portraits, and architecture of Savannah. She said it best,"No matter where I go -- North, South, East or West -- I always come back to Savannah where I've been painting for 45 years. The scenes I choose to capture on canvas are paintings of my everyday life...I find beauty in the commonplace. Savannah, there is no other place like it on Earth."

Jones was born in Winder, Forsyth County, Georgia and moved to Savannah in 1943. Jones formally took up painting in 1950 when she studied at the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences. Despite this training she has been identified as a self-taught artist.

Jones' work is considered distinct for its balance of modern and representational approaches. During the 1950s and early 1960s, she utilized strong colors, brushstrokes and lines in her portraits, which Jones referred to as her dark and bold period. Her later works gravitated towards light colors to create a faded effect. Throughout her career Jones depicted everyday life in Savannah, through subjects including urban streetscapes, buildings, landscapes, and portraits of locals.

Excellent original condition. Maintained in private home continuously since it was painted. Art protected behind glass.

Dimensions: 36 inches wide by 46 inches tall by 2 inches deep.

Please see other works listed from the Private Collection. Painting ships via freight by private carrier. Book not included. Any questions, please ask. See less