Mid Century Novato Afternoon Country Landscape

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Wonderful mid century landscape titled "Late Afternoon in Novato" by Ted Lewy (American, 1912-1963). Presented in a rustic wooden frame. … Read more Wonderful mid century landscape titled "Late Afternoon in Novato" by Ted Lewy (American, 1912-1963). Presented in a rustic wooden frame. Signed "Ted Lewy" and dated "1962" lower right. Titled "Late Afternoon in Novato, Marin County" and dated "June 10, 1962" on verso. Age toning. Framed: 24.5"H x 28.5"W. Image: 20"H x 24"W.

Born on September 4, 1912 in Schubin, West Prussia, Ted Lewy, commercial artist, illustrator and landscape painter, attended a German business school and an art school after his graduation. Finding the art school more stimulating and being a gifted draftsman, he soon started to travel throughout Europe and the Far East before arriving in San Francisco in the late 1930s. His commercial talents were quickly realized and he soon was able to maintain studio spaces in both Hamburg, Germany and San Francisco however the start of World War II put an end to this working arrangement.

He enlisted in the Army, leaving his wife Edith behind but even during the war he continued to make art-now for the Aid Training Division of the Army Air Force.

Upon his return to San Francisco, Ted Lewy immediately applied his energies and talents to producing works in and about his American home. He produced numerous mural paintings for some of the most popular and trendy restaurants of the day, Tarantino's, La Tosca Café, New Delmonico, Sabella and la Torre and the Lost Week-End, many of which have survived to the present day.

His commercial success was also linked to his work for a host of famous hotels in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York in which he immortalized each particular building's architecture on paper which in turn was used to embellish a number of hostess products available at each location. Coinciding with these commissions Lewy was also hired by the Coca Cola Company to design advertising posters, calendars, gift boxes and other ephemera.

Lewy experienced great financial success with these projects as well as his even more prolific one of celebrating the views and attractions of San Francisco. During his lifetime it is estimated that nearly 2,000,000 million postcards, posters and other products were sold using his designs. Lewy was a master at self promotion and his images proved to be so popular that in 1962 he was proclaimed the "Artist Laureate of San Francisco".
Written and submitted by Barry Heisler, Director Fine Arts, of Auctions By The Bay Inc. His sources are relatives of the artist. See less