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Description
Henry Martin Gasser N.A. Watercolor Figures on a Paris Street
Offered here is a watercolor by National Academician Henry Martin Gasser. It is typical of his European scenes which were usually of quarter sheet size or smaller to facilitate his plein air work. This piece is 9.25 x 7.25 inches sight and 16.25 x 14.25 inches framed. It is signed lower right and annotated "Paris".
The work is done on artist’s board and is without problems of any kind. The colors are rich and unfaded and Gasser has captured the architectural detail to great effect.
The framing is exceptional. The work is matted under a heavy fabric which has its own inner frame. This assembly is mounted under glass in a fine substantial frame.
It is a lovely representation of a very popular locale by an important American master. Gasser's Watercolors of this size have sold to $5,000.00 and higher although more typically in the $1000 to $2,000 range. We are starting at a very reasonable level for Gasser works of this size and quality. Returns are accepted only in case of misrepresentation but our guarantee of authenticity is without time limit
HENRY GASSER 1909 - 1981
Painter, lecturer, teacher, illustrator and author, Henry Gasser was born in Newark, New Jersey on Oct. 31,1909. He lived, studied and worked in New Jersey for his entire life. A master at watercolor, casein and oil his work consisted of, in his own words, "everyday subjects that are available to most of us-street scenes, back yards, trees, old houses, etc. I looked for them in front of houses, in backyards, public parks, and elsewhere". He also painted numerous harbor and fishing village scenes in New England. His work demonstrated a sense of place and feeling that most could identify with. His paintings also contain a great deal of what he called "solitary silence" created by chosen subject matter such as a "Coming Storm", "Night in the Park", "Shadows". He felt that design was very important and meant the difference between a mediocre work and a truly professional one. It is here where Gasser excelled. He was a master of illuminating paintings. Gasser had the ability to make the familiar, memorable. He used light and color to create drama and clarity of image. His depictions of Newark,N.J., Pa. and Spartansburg, South Carolina have given us indelible insights into urban, rural and industrial life at that time. He loved to paint Italy, France,Spain and Israel which he did in a more controlled, even meticulous manner that embodied the vibrancy and history of those places. He was one of the master painters ever to paint in New Jersey, as indicated by his works in over 40 museums collections.
He got his background in art studying at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art and the Grand Central School of Art. This was followed by study at the Art Students League of New York in the classes of Robert Brackman. He later studied privately under John R. Grabach. He is represented in over fifty museum collections and numerous important private ones as well. Among the awards that Henry Gasser has received are the Hallgarten Prize at the National Academy, the Zabriskie, Osborne, and Obrig prizes at the American Watercolor Society, the Philadelphia watercolor club prize, the Allied Artists Gold Medal at Oakland, California and many others. He was a member of the National Academy of Design, the American Watercolor Society, the Royal Society of Art (Great Britain), the Salmagundi Club, the Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Watercolor Clubs and the New Jersey Watercolor Society. He was a life member of the National Arts Club, Grand Central Art Galleries and the Art Students League and others. He served as Director of the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art from 1946-54 then continued lecturing and demonstrating for most of the remainder of his life. He also wrote numerous books on painting. He died in South Orange, NJ in 1981.
