Lot 100A
Charles Kinney (American, 1906-1991). "Whale Sow Jona (sic)" watercolor and pencil on paper, ca. 1980. Signed in pencil on upper right. Phonetically spelled inscriptions in pencil to the left of artist's signature. A spectacular painting by outsider artist Charles Kinney (also referred to as Charley Kinney and Charlie Kinney) that presents one of Kinney's interpretations of the Biblical story of Jonah. Charles Kinney enjoyed painting renditions of "Big Fish" as well as Jonah and the Whale like this example which is inscribed "Whale Sow Jona" at the upper right as Kinney oftentimes included such phonetically spelled words in this paintings. The piece also includes another inscription at the upper left which is difficult to discern, but the star of this piece is the huge whale presented with an open mouth revealing intimidating teeth pursuing Jonah who is depicted with outstretched limbs as if attempting to swim away. Two more petite sea creatures (a fish and a crustacean) also reside in the crystal blue waters. Perhaps Kinney included them to demonstrate the enormous scale of the whale! Size: 22.25" L x 28" W (56.5 cm x 71.1 cm) Size of frame: 27.5" L x 33.5" W (69.8 cm x 85.1 cm)
Born in northeast Kentucky near Vanceburg, Charles "Charley" Kinney was a self-taught artist as well as a fiddler, magician, and storyteller. Having grown up in a log cabin, Kinney was a farmer who lived off the land until he passed away. He painted rural landscapes and scenes of everyday life, 20th century feats of technology such as airplanes, dirigibles, steam engines, automobiles, and trucks; as well as themes related to religion and folklore. Animals, whether real or imaginary, were also among his favorite subjects.
By the 1970s, Kinney's art had gained quite a following. Today his works have been collected by the Kentucky Folk Art Center, the Owensboro Museum of Art in Owensboro, Kentucky, the Huntington Museum of Art in West Virginia, and the Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama. In addition, his work has been exhibited at the New Orleans Museum of Art and Morehead State University.
Provenance: J Compton Gallery, Wimberley, Texas, USA
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#169755
- Condition: Signature and phonetically spelled inscriptions are handwritten in pencil by the artist at the top of the composition. This artwork has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be in excellent condition as does the framing save a few scuffs and nicks that could easily be touched up and some tears to the gallery paper on the verso that do not impact the painting. This piece is fitted with a suspension wire and ready to display.
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