Harold Vincent Skene

The Return (Horse and Rider in a Western Mountain Landscape, Autumn)

1961

"The Coast" is an original vintage oil painting from the mid-20th century (circa 1950s-1970s) by renowned New Mexico artist Marjorie Chambers (1923-2006). This stunning nocturnal marine landscape captures the serene beauty of the coast under a glowing moonlit sky. The artist masterfully uses a soothing palette of blues, greens, browns, and whites to create a tranquil, ethereal atmosphere. The painting is rendered on wood panel, signed by Chambers in the lower right corner, and titled on the reverse. It is presented in a custom frame with a dark finish and gold lip, with outer dimensions measuring 18 ¼ x 21 ¾ x 1 inches, and an image size of 11 x 15 inches. About the Artist: Marjorie Bell Chambers (also known as Marjorie Bell) was born in 1923 in New York. She became a prominent figure in both the arts and social activism, earning a degree in Art History and Political Science from Mount Holyoke College (1943) and a Master of Arts from Cornell University (1948). Chambers moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, in the 1940s, where she raised her family and worked as a substitute teacher while her husband, William H. Chambers, worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Along with her artistic pursuits, Chambers was a passionate advocate for women's rights and education. She earned a PhD in History and Political Science from the University of New Mexico in 1974, later serving as a faculty member and dean at Colorado Women's College. She was appointed to the National Advisory Council on Women's Educational Programs in 1976 and was vice-chair of President Carter...

“Ghost Town” by Harold Skene (1883–1978) is a compelling vintage oil painting that evokes the quiet drama of Colorado’s mining past. This atmospheric Western landscape depicts a lone prospector and his pack mule standing among the weathered remnants of an abandoned mountain town. Set in late summer or early autumn, the scene is painted in a rich, earthy palette of golden yellows, sage greens, dusty pinks, and soft blues, capturing the stillness and solitude of the high desert West. Painted in oil on board, the work is signed by the artist at the lower right and titled and dated on the verso, underscoring its authenticity and historical value. Skene’s careful attention to structure and perspective reflects his architectural training, while his expressive handling of landscape conveys the emotional weight of a once-thriving community now reclaimed by nature. The painting measures 24 x 30 inches (image size) and is presented in a classic mahogany frame with overall dimensions of 30 x 35.5 x 2.75 inches, offering strong visual presence and immediate display appeal. A graduate of Harvard’s School of Architecture, Harold Skene studied at the Denver Art Academy and the Broadmoor Art Academy, and served as an assistant to noted Western artist Allen Tupper True...

Mendocino Hippies is a tranquil and evocative original oil painting by acclaimed California artist Jon Blanchette (1908–1987). This peaceful camp scene features colorful tents nestle...

Barns in Soquel is a charming original mid-century oil painting by noted California artist Jon Blanchette (1908–1987). This signed oil on canvas board captures a tranquil rural scene...