Description: ca. 1950’s Mid-century Modern oil on canvas entitled “Ostov” depicting war-torn Russia by Russian American Jewish artist Harry Leo Gould (1892-1969). Intriguing socio-political piece reflects feelings of abandonment, isolation and solitude.Dynamic, serious painting here: the artist’s aim wasn’t to be cute. Great colors and impasto. Reminds me a bit of Hobson Pittman and his Modernist / Regionalist style yet perhaps more painterly and informed by Constructivism.Unframed 18 x 24 inch painting was exhibited at the National Academy of Design (NAD) in the Audubon Artists Annual as #412. Exhibition label verso w/ price at $600 (around 65 years ago).The artist lived in Chelsea at 251 W. 16th St., New York City. He signed the painting on the stretchers and included his address. It’s not signed on the front. Gould listed his friend George Mukai (1919-2018) as his agent on the exhibition tag.Leo Gould was a real renaissance man. He authored the 1922 instruction book for the Mah Jong set released by Abercrombie and Fitch. Gould exhibited a 1937 photograph he did of an Asian subject in the Fifth Annual National Salon of Pictorial Photography, St. Petersburg Camera Club, St. Petersburg, Florida. See it online. It sold at Skinner in Boston.Gould was an expert on Chinese and Japanese art. He was an importer of “Oriental works of art” -- high-end antique items including porcelain, paintings, jade, screens, lamps, etc. Beginning in 1938, his showrooms were the top 3 floors of 697-699 Madison Avenue, NYC.This painting depicts Ostov, which is in Novgorad Oblast, Russia. Where the artist was born was in Chisinau. At the time, it was part of Russia, but today it’s part of Moldova. Gould’s parents were Iosif Goldenberg and Mariya Naumovna Bronshtein Goldenberg.A note on his ‘agent’, George Mukai: He was American-born but of Japanese descent. Mukai was also a painter, who’d trained in California, but came to NYC in the 50’s and was affiliated with the Art Students League. He knew how to do repairs on Asian antiques, too, so between oil painting and the love of Asian arts, Gould and Mukai were like two peas in a pod.Original, untouched condition, unrestored painting would benefit from light cleaning and minor touch-ups. There are no major issues such as holes or tears. CHECK MY FEEDBACK AND BUY WITH CONFIDENCE! *** 20+ years of happy customers on eBay *** Please see my other eBay listings for more great items.Message me to arrange for combined shipping on multiple purchases.
Price: 1295 USD
Location: Pitman, New Jersey
End Time: 2025-01-30T00:00:57.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Size: Medium (up to 36in.)
Region of Origin: New York, USA
Artist: H. Leo Gould
Production Technique: Oil Painting
Style: Modernism, Russian
Material: Canvas
Time Period Produced: 1950-1959
Personalize: No
Type: Painting
Features: Signed, Exhibition Label, One of a Kind (OOAK)
Subject: Architecture, Cities & Towns, Conflicts & Wars, Continents & Countries, Cultures & Ethnicities, Disasters, Domestic & Family Life, Houses, Landscape
Culture: Russian
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Painting Surface: Canvas
Width (Inches): 18
Unit of Sale: Single-Piece Work
Listed By: Dealer or Reseller
Height (Inches): 24
Color: Multi-Color
