1936 Wpa Era American Scene Modernist Painting "A Connecticut Day" Howard Ahrens

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1936 WPA Era AMERICAN SCENE MODERNIST PAINTING A Connecticut Day
HOWARD AHRENS

Truly a museum quality artwork.

Absolutely beautiful American … Read more 1936 WPA Era AMERICAN SCENE MODERNIST PAINTING A Connecticut Day
HOWARD AHRENS

Truly a museum quality artwork.

Absolutely beautiful American modernist painting depicting a group of people going
about their life in Connecticut. In the middle is a young woman holding flowers, which
bears a strong resemblance to the sister of the original owner of the painting. Also
present are a horse

Recently discovered from the collection of Jean Schermerhorn Roosevelt, sister of artist
/collector Gladys Roosevelt Dick.

A fine example of American Scene and Regionalism art, as well as an excellent
example of Magical Realism. The style and subject are very representative of the great
WPA murals of the time. Painted in 1936 at the height of American Regionalism,
perhaps as a commission for Jean S. Roosevelt.

"A Connecticut Day"

By 20th c. American artist Howard J. Ahrens (1910-1978).

Biography: Ahrens studied at the Art Students League of New York (likely under
Thomas Hart Benton who was teaching there at the time). He later taught drawing at the
Hartford Art School in Hartford Connecticut. Among his students were Shmuel Shapiro
and Edward Dugmore. He was a member of the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation
where he exhibited in 1934.

he exhibited at the MacBeth Gallery 1934; Art Galleries of the Squibb Building 1935;
Whitney Museum 1938; and several times at G.R.D. Studio NYC in the 1930s. He later
exhibited with the Florida Artists Group and at the Jacksonville Art Center.

The painting was acquired from the estate of Philip J. Roosevelt (1892-1941) and Jean
Schermerhorn Roosevelt (1891-1984). Jean was the sister of artist/collector Gladys
Roosevelt Dick (1889-1926), cousin of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It was part of her
extensive collection of modernists at the Roosevelt family estate "Dolonor" located in
Cove Neck, Oyster Bay, New York.

Gladys Roosevelt Dick died in a fatal fox hunt accident when she was thrown from her
horse. After her passing, her sister Jean founded G.R.D. Studio in New York City in her
honor. G.R.D. was a non-profit gallery for up-and-coming artists to exhibit their work.
The gallery mainly focused on the emerging American Modernist scene with artists
including Ahrens, as well as Anne Kutka (McCosh) and Kimon Nicolaides who managed
the gallery. Among the other artists who exhibited at the gallery were John Sloan, David
Burliuk, Charles Sheeler, Hayley Lever, George Biddle, Jo Cain, Stuart Eldredge,
Virginia Snedecker, Joseph Meierhans, William Zorach, Gifford Beal, Lillian Prentiss,
Horace Talmadge day and numerous others.

Oil on canvas.
Signed Howard J. Ahrens 1936.
Titled and inscribed on reverse with artist's address.
Measures 36 x 48"
Framed size 37 1/2" x 49 1/2".
Very good condition with no damage or restoration. Appears to have never been
touched since it hung in their home. Truly a unique find. See less