Albert Backus Original Vintage Beanie Backus Florida Highwaymen American Seascape Oil Painting Upson Board
Original, vintage Albert Ernest Backus Florida Highwaymen impressionist seascape painting of boats, at sunset. Lovely impressionist painting, reflective light effects from the sky and water, revealing itself to be an early work by the artist, when he was influenced by Monet.
Albert Ernest, "A. E." Backus, (1906-1990), also known as "Beanie" Backus; was an American artist famous for his vivid Florida landscapes. Backus was a curious blend of artist and humanitarian: who lived modestly but gave generously to his friends and community. Artistic Technique
A.E. Backus was largely self-taught, relying on books and magazines for much of his early training. His formal art education was limited to summer sessions at Parsons art school in New York City.
From the 1930's through the 1950's, much of Backus' work was impressionistic. Monet had been one of his early influences, and the French artist's use of color was adapted on Backus' early Florida canvases.
Paintings from this period are characterized by Backus' heavy use of the palette knife. His sweeping gestures with the knife and his preference for painting storm scenes brought a sense of unbridled vigor to this work.
In the last 30 years of Backus' life his landscapes became more representational, and he employed the brush far more often than the knife.
Backus' success at capturing Florida's rugged beauty came as much from his scientific inquiries as from his artistic ability.
There was hardly a cloud formation, Florida plant, or animal species, that Backus could not name. Even in his 80s, he could be seen around Fort Pierce studying and sketching the nuances the light of sunrise. His favorite times of day were late afternoon or early morning, because of the light differentials. Backus mastered light: the handling of light, the effect of light on the color of an object, and how light differs from day-to-day, and season-to-season.
Biographical references from Backus Museum & Gallery.
Ref: http://www.backusmuseum.com/about-backus.html
Comparable paintings by Albert Ernest Backus/online references:
http://www.highwaymen-buy-sell-trade.com/backus%2002-20-09.jpg
https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.caseantiques.com/wp-content/uploads/auctions/2015-01-24/120_6-1615x1080.jpg
https://www.artexpertswebsite.com/pages/artists/artists_a-k/backus/Backus_FishingShack.JPG
http://shop.backusmuseum.com/images/Purchase3/images/0646-Indian_River_West_Shore.JPG
http://www.edwardanddeborahpollack.com/backusindianriver3web.jpg
Albert Ernest Backus, Beanie Backus,
AE Backus
(1906-1990)
US, Florida
Highwaymen
(Post) Impressionist, Expressionist
Oil on Kuvek-Krak Upson Board
(The Highwaymen artists used discarded pieces of masonite & Upson board from construction sights, as their canvases)
Painting is estimated to have been created approximately 1951
Painting measures approximately 18" X 22", plus frame
With frame, painting measures approximately 23.5" X 27"
Painting is still housed in original 1951 vintage gold gilt carved wood frame. The frame appears to be a very nice custom frame, possibly a Newcomb Macklin, from that era. There are a couple of minor nicks in the frame, as shown.
Painting is signed lower right side. Part of the original signature is missing. The most prominent visible part of the signature, is "B". To the right of that, are the initials "BB". Under those, is the artist's signature, lower right corner. There is also some unidentified writing on the far lower left. Due to lack of complete signature, painting is listed as an attribution/in the manner of Florida Highwaymen artist, Albert Ernest Backus.
Painting is in very good and stable, original condition. There are a few minor specs, around the edges, and paint is not completely painted in an even manner; there are thicker and thinner areas of paint. Please review images.
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