Ethel Magafan Drawings
American, 1916-1993
Ethel Magafan Born Illinois, 1916
Died New York, 1993
Jenne and Ethel Magafan were identical twins, born in Chicago to a Greek immigrant father and a Polish mother. Due to health concerns about their father, the family moved to Colorado, living first in Colorado Springs and then in Denver. He was a proud supporter of their artistic ambitions but died suddenly 1932, a heavy blow to both of them. They attended East High School in Denver, where they found a mentor in their art teacher Helen Perry. She had studied at the Art Institute of Chicago but had later abandoned a career as an artist, making her all the more determined to help the Magafan twins succeed artistically.
While still in high school, the twins impressed artist Frank Mechau, and Helen Perry paid for their lessons with him. He subsequently invited them to apprentice with him at his Redstone studio. In 1936, Jenne won the Carter Memorial Art Scholarship and shared it with her sister so that they both could attend the Broadmoor Art Academy in Colorado Springs. Once they ran out of money, Mechau, now teaching there, hired them as assistants. Through their involvement at the Academy, the twins entered into careers as muralists, working at first with Mechau and then with Peppino Mangravite.
From 1937 to 1943, Ethel was commissioned to paint her first of seven government sponsored murals. Located in the US Post Office in Auburn, Nebraska, this commission made Ethel (at age 26) the youngest artist in America to receive such an honor. Denver Art Museum director Donald J. Bear once commented that “[Ethel and Jenne's] study of local detail makes them appear as little Bruegels of ranch genre – natural and unforced.”
As mural painting commissions diminished, Ethel began to do more easel painting for which she used a palette knife and tempera paints to great effect. After settling in California for five years, the twins permanently relocated to Woodstock, New York in 1945, where the sisters lived apart for the first time. Ethel developed an increasing focus within her work, particularly for horses and abstract landscapes. She met fellow artist Bruce Currie at an artist’s party, and the two were married in 1946.
The twins and their husbands went to Greece and Italy for a year when Jenne’s husband and Ethel were granted Fulbright Scholarships. Upon their return, Jenne died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage — a loss that Ethel would mourn deeply. With her sister gone, her landscapes became much more abstract, as she sought out the feeling of the scene rather than an exact representation. During the mid-fifties, she began to make annual trips to Colorado. Her stature within the art world was solidified in 1971 when the United States
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Creator: Ethel Magafan
Ethel Magafan "Evening Moon" Pen and Ink Drawing
By Ethel Magafan
Located in New Windsor, NY
Ethel Magafan (1916-1993) pen and ink sketch drawing entitled "Evening Mood". Signed lower right. Circa 1950. This piece comes from the Estate of Anton Otto Fischer after Magafan moved to Woodstock, NY where his home and studio were.
Good overall condition. Wear consistent with age and not being framed. There is obvious darkening of the paper surface due to the piece originally having an old matte surrounding the sight opening. No visible rips, tears or restorations. Soft corners and edges.
Approximately 8" wide x 6" high.
Bio:
After World War II, many people in the US were on the move, and on the advice of older artist friends in Los Angeles, Arnold Blanche...
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Ethel Magafan drawings for sale on 1stDibs.
Ethel Magafan drawings are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. Prices for Ethel Magafan drawings can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $450 and can go as high as $450, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $450.