GUY CARLETON WIGGINS (AMERICAN 1883-1962) "ON 5TH AVENUE ON A WINTER'S AFTERNOON"
Signed 'Guy Wiggins NA' bottom left; also titled, signed and dated '1961' verso, oil on canvas
25 x 30 in. (63.5 x 76.2cm)
Provenance: W.R. Fine Galleries, Dallas, Texas.
Acquired directly from the above circa 1970.
Collection of Dr. Carl and Mrs. Cherry Rainone, Arlington, Texas.
Rainone Galleries, Arlington, Texas.
Acquired directly from the above in 2006.
Private Collection, Los Angeles, California.
NOTE:
Depicting 5th Avenue at 59th Street, near the bottom East side of Central Park, the present painting is a perfect example of one of Wiggins's classic wintry scenes. The composition features the distinguished Pulitzer Fountain which is situated in Manhattan's Grand Army Plaza and was donated by famed publisher Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) in 1916. The basin of the fountain as well as the surrounding ground has been covered by snowfall, as people trudge through the streets. Wiggins shows that city life continues on regardless of weather, as a horse-drawn carriage takes passengers to their destination, and a woman walks her two dogs. The blustery weather skews any distinguishable facial features of the pedestrians depicted here, lending and element of anonymity to the vignette. Nevertheless, the artist is able to relay a sense of relatability and camaraderie as well, as most of the subjects featured walk in pairs and closely together.
The present lot will be accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Guy A. Wiggins, the son of the artist, written on the back of a photograph of the painting, dated March 27, 2006.
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Signed 'Guy Wiggins NA' bottom left; also titled, signed and dated '1961' verso, oil on canvas
25 x 30 in. (63.5 x 76.2cm)
Provenance: W.R. Fine Galleries, Dallas, Texas.
Acquired directly from the above circa 1970.
Collection of Dr. Carl and Mrs. Cherry Rainone, Arlington, Texas.
Rainone Galleries, Arlington, Texas.
Acquired directly from the above in 2006.
Private Collection, Los Angeles, California.
NOTE:
Depicting 5th Avenue at 59th Street, near the bottom East side of Central Park, the present painting is a perfect example of one of Wiggins's classic wintry scenes. The composition features the distinguished Pulitzer Fountain which is situated in Manhattan's Grand Army Plaza and was donated by famed publisher Joseph Pulitzer (1847-1911) in 1916. The basin of the fountain as well as the surrounding ground has been covered by snowfall, as people trudge through the streets. Wiggins shows that city life continues on regardless of weather, as a horse-drawn carriage takes passengers to their destination, and a woman walks her two dogs. The blustery weather skews any distinguishable facial features of the pedestrians depicted here, lending and element of anonymity to the vignette. Nevertheless, the artist is able to relay a sense of relatability and camaraderie as well, as most of the subjects featured walk in pairs and closely together.
The present lot will be accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Guy A. Wiggins, the son of the artist, written on the back of a photograph of the painting, dated March 27, 2006.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
