WILLIAM GROPPER (1897-1977) EXHIBITED OIL ON CANVAS

WILLIAM GROPPER (1897-1977) EXHIBITED OIL ON CANVAS
William Gropper (New York, 1897-1977)

The Opening

Circa 1944

The exhibited oil on canvas by the prolific and popular American artist William Gropper is signed lower right front and titled verso by a label from the Galleries of Associated American Artists.

An exhibition label for The Carnegie Institute exhibition 'Painting in the United States, 1944.' is pasted verso as well.

This is an outstanding example of William Gropper's penchant for imagery that deals in irony, humor, and biting social commentary. Here he portrays the patrons of a gallery opening as caricatures dressed more for a society cocktail party than a museum opening. The majority are depicted with their backs to the paintings, though one couple does seem intrigued by a section of driftwood on display. The large portrait of an ambiguous figure holding something like a butterfly net looks on with an expression of strange amusement.


William Gropper's biography is a rich and interesting one. Having quit school as a teenager to help support his family he, without any prior instruction, began to draw and sketch and paint on paper as well as the flat surfaces of his surroundings, including walls and sidewalks. These early, informal sketches led to his being invited to study drawing in night classes at the anarchistic Ferrer School in New York where he became acquainted with more than just the principles of good draughtsmanship. His political leanings were not difficult to discern.

After winning some prizes and recognition for his cartoons in the succeeding years, he began to find ways to make a living with his art. By The mid 1930s he had received mural commissions and by the time of this painting, he was recognized as a serious artist participating in many of the most prominent exhibitions of the day at major American museums, which adds to the irony of this work.

This painting was exhibited in the a show with works by major American artists like Georgia O'Keefe, Edward Hopper, Milton Avery and Thomas Hart Benton.

Canvas size 20 x 30, frame measures 29 x 39 inches.

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Condition: Very good original untouched condition. There are no issues of scratches, losses, paint lifting, repairs, in-painting or touch-up confirmed under UV light. Original stretchers, no relining.