Lot 108
Henry George Keller (American of German descent, 1869-1949 CE), "Little Devil" ca. 1920-1940 CE. A fine watercolor, gouache, and graphite on watercolor paper depicting a portrait of a Native American subject in profile, facing left, donning a red garment that covers his head and torso though the subject's ribcage is visible through the fabric of his costume, the headpiece embellished with horns, hence the title "Little Devil." The artist's initials "H K" are painted at mid right side. Henry George Keller was an accomplished artist educated in Munich and Cleveland who led an entire generation of Ohio watercolor painters of the Cleveland School. Artists including Charles E. Burchfield, Frank N. Wilcox, and Paul Travis were under his tutelage. In 1939, Keller was elected to the National Academy of Design. His parents were born in Germany, and Henry subscribed to the romanticized view of Native Americans as noble savages or "Red Indians". Native Americans were the subject of much German popular culture including Karl May (1842-1912) novels about the American "Wild West" and James Fenimore Cooper's "Leatherstocking Tales". Beyond this, the infamous Buffalo Bill took his Wild West show to Germany furthering the prominence of Native Americans in the German imagination. An excellent watercolor displaying expert technique by this fine artist who was greatly influenced by his German heritage. Professionally matted. Size: watercolor itself measures 4.25" L x 3.25" W (10.8 cm x 8.3 cm)
Provenance: Ex-private New York City collection.
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#113833
- Condition: Perhaps a study cut from a larger piece. Rough edges; however, the painting is in excellent condition.
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