"Pensive Observer". Washes on gessoed artist's board. Thickly applied ground medium in the shape of a Man, details and lines inscribed into wet medium, then colored. Signed lower left and dated 1955. In artist-decorated mat and wood frame. Titled on tag and in pencil on back of mat. Image size approx. 24" x 19", with mat and frame apprx 36" x 30". A Chicago native, Turbyfill helped to form what has been called the first black concert dance group, the Ballets Negre, which made its debut in 1931 at Chicago's annual Beaux Arts Ball and is most known as a ballet dancer and choreographer. He exhibited his work seriously after he began his friendship with abstract expressionist Mark Tobey. Turbyfills first solo exhibit was in 1948; in the 1950s and 60s he had a number of one-man gallery shows. In 1966 his work was included in the Art in the Embassies Program and some is in the permanent collection of American artists at the Smithsonian.
500/1,000 Sold $603.75
back to catalog
