Bennett Bradbury (1914–1991) Mid-Century Oil Painting "Rough Sea From Maui"

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This exceptional, large-scale 1950s mid-century oil painting by renowned American marine artist Bennett Bradbury captures the raw power and untamed … Read more This exceptional, large-scale 1950s mid-century oil painting by renowned American marine artist Bennett Bradbury captures the raw power and untamed beauty of the Hawaiian coastline. Titled Rough Sea From Maui, the composition depicts a dynamic expanse of churning turquoise waves crashing violently against dark, jagged volcanic rock formations. Bradbury's masterful handling of the palette knife and impasto technique brings the frothing white surf and dramatic sea spray to life with remarkable texture and movement. Towering overhead is a brilliant blue sky punctuated by low-hanging clouds and a faint glimpse of distant island terrain. Known for his striking, atmospheric interpretations of the Pacific coast, Bradbury spent significant time capturing the unique light and violent water conditions of both California and the Hawaiian islands. This work is a premier example of his celebrated marine oeuvre, displaying a timeless, powerful presence that effortlessly anchors any mid-century modern, coastal, or contemporary interior. The
frame is a high-gloss custom lacquered gallery frame with white linen boarder.
Frame Size: 29 x 41.5
Canvas size: 24 x 36

Artist Stamped Title: Stamped clearly in the lower center of the canvas: "ROUGH SEA FROM MAUI" / BENNETT BRADBURY.Copyright / Reproduction Rights: The top wooden stretcher bar bears the artist’s proprietary stamp: "ALL REPRODUCTION RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE ARTIST", a hallmark found on works directly managed through his primary studio or representing galleries during his lifetime.

A vintage bright blue paper label for "Frame Shack" is affixed to the lower center of the frame. This label documents the painting's custom preservation and housing during the mid-to-late 20th century, confirming it was framed through professional mid-century art handlers. The custom-built wooden stretchers utilize traditional interlocking mitered corners and original wood corner tension keys, verifying its status as an untouched period piece. The outer frame dates a bit later to a mid-1970s gallery housing, the canvas and raw stretchers themselves are firmly from his late 1950s Hawaiian residency. Bennett Bradbury relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1954. He spent exactly eight years living in Hawaii, maintaining an active painting studio inside the prestigious Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Waikiki Beach.

The Canvas & Paint Surface: The oil on canvas surface is in excellent structural condition. The paint layers remain stable, vibrant, and well-adhered to the substrate, with no signs of flaking, paint loss, or active craquelure. The impasto peaks and palette knife textures executed by Bradbury are completely intact and well-preserved.

About the Artist: Bennett Schroeder Bradbury (1914–1991) was a premier Mid-Century American regionalist painter who focused almost exclusively on the tumultuous movement of the ocean. The brother of the acclaimed Fahrenheit 451 author Ray Bradbury, Bennett initially honed his sense of color and form working as a colorist for Walt Disney Studios. He eventually left animation to dedicate himself fully to marine landscapes, building a highly distinguished career within the elite artist communities of Laguna Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, and Honolulu (where he held a prominent studio at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel). Today, his signature seascapes are highly sought after by collectors of American West Coast art and 20th-century maritime realism. See less