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Boardman RobinsonVendor of Masks, 1930s Original Modernist Gouache Painting of Carnival Scenecirca 1930
circa 1930
$1,195
$1,49520% Off
£907.50
£1,135.3220% Off
€1,042.55
€1,304.2720% Off
CA$1,684.67
CA$2,107.6020% Off
A$1,791.15
A$2,240.8120% Off
CHF 968.60
CHF 1,211.7620% Off
MX$21,306.28
MX$26,655.1420% Off
NOK 12,133.09
NOK 15,179.0620% Off
SEK 11,081.12
SEK 13,86320% Off
DKK 7,788.19
DKK 9,743.3820% Off
About the Item
This captivating 1930s modernist gouache painting by Boardman Robinson (1876–1952), titled The Vendor of Masks, depicts a striking mask vendor’s display with male and female figures, likely inspired by a circus scene in Colorado Springs. Painted in earthy browns, deep blacks, crisp whites, and soft pale blue or gray, the composition showcases Robinson’s signature expressive style and bold modernist approach.
Executed in gouache on paper, the artwork is double signed in the lower right center and titled in the lower margin (partially covered by the current mat). It is elegantly framed in a vintage gold-tone frame, measuring 20 ¼ x 15 ¼ x ½ inches overall, with an image size of 15 ¼ x 10 ½ inches.
About the Artist – Boardman Robinson (1876–1952)
A highly influential modernist painter, illustrator, and muralist, Boardman Robinson was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, and trained in fine arts at the Massachusetts Art School before continuing his studies in Paris at the Académie Colarossi and the École des Beaux-Arts.
Robinson gained national recognition as a political cartoonist for leading publications such as the New York Tribune, The Masses, Liberator, Harper’s Weekly, and Vogue. In 1915, he traveled to Russia as a war correspondent alongside journalist John Reed, covering the Kerensky Revolution for Metropolitan Magazine.
During the 1920s, he collaborated with Thomas Hart Benton, pioneering a new style of mural painting that shaped the American Mural Movement of the 1930s. His influence extended to teaching, and in 1930, he moved to Colorado Springs to teach at the Broadmoor Academy, later becoming its Director. His students and colleagues included renowned artists such as George Biddle, Henry Varnum Poor, Adolf Dehn, Arnold Blanch, and Edgar Britton.
Notable Exhibitions
Collections
Robinson’s work has been showcased in major exhibitions, including the 1913 Armory Show, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and Corcoran Gallery Biennials. His paintings and murals are held in esteemed institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Dallas Museum of Fine Art, the Amon Carter Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Denver Art Museum.
His large-scale murals can be seen at Rockefeller Center in New York City, the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and the United States Post Office in Englewood, Colorado.
Why Collect This Piece?
This original 1930s gouache painting is a rare opportunity to own a work by Boardman Robinson, a pivotal figure in American modernism and mural painting. With its dynamic composition, rich historical significance, and strong provenance, The Vendor of Masks is a compelling addition to any serious fine art collection.
- Creator:Boardman Robinson (1876 - 1952, American)
- Creation Year:circa 1930
- Dimensions:Height: 20.25 in (51.44 cm)Width: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement Style:
- Period:
- Framing:Frame IncludedFraming Options Available
- Condition:very good vintage condition, not examined outside the frame.
- Gallery Location:Denver, CO
- Reference Number:Seller: DCG-257841stDibs: LU2738857632
Boardman Robinson
Boardman Robinson was born in 1876 in Somerset, Nova Scotia, Canada. He came to the United States in 1894 to attend the Massachusetts Art School. He then studied painting in Paris at the Academie Colarossi and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. After returning to the United States, Robinson worked as a cartoonist in New York City for the Morning Telegraph (1907–10), the New York Tribune (1910–14). Robinson went with John Reed to Russia in 1915 and served as war correspondent, covering the Kerensky Revolution for the Metropolitan Magazine. From 1915-1920, he held positions at several magazines including The Masses, Liberator, and Harper’s Weekly. He also served as a one-time art editor at Vogue. Robinson worked with Thomas Hart Benton in the 1920’s, developing a new style of mural painting. As a result, the two men are recognized as the founders of the American mural movement of the 1930’s. In 1930, he moved to Colorado Springs and took a position at the Broadmoor Academy. The following year, he was named Director of the Academy. During this time, he influenced many other well-known artists instruct at the Academy including: George Biddle, Thomas Hart Benton, Henry Varnum Poor, Adolf Dehn, Arnold Blanch, and Edgar Britton.
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