Ernest Fiene (1894-1965)
Portrait of Ann Perls

Spectacular portrait of "Ann Perls". The colors, detail, subject, table objects, background painting onto which he applies his signature make this an exceptional work of art and one of Fiene best. Although he was primarily known for his city scenes his often produced some remarkable portraits. This is the best portrait, based on our extensive research on hundreds of his paintings, he has ever produced. The closest style of work very similar to this we could find is the one which sold in the early 90's for $8800, which was much smaller and we believe not in the same extraordinary category as this one. Refer to the image of it provided.

It comes in a high quality frame which appears to have been framed in the 40's or 50's. The original Gallery label from Associated American Artists in New York is still attached, but is torn and has become fragile. Also has a label from an old auction sale on back. Both labels identify this as "Portrait of Ann Perls" by Ernest Fiene. He has SIGNED onto the inside painting behind Ann Perls head, "E. Fiene" . Refer to images.

Artist: Ernest Fiene (1894-1965) is a highly listed artist with a strong history of appreciation based on hundreds of auction sales.

Sales history: Sold "Waterfront, Lower Manhattan" Sotheby's December 2004 for $38,400 (est was $8,000-$12,000).

Based on our research of hundreds of his paintings, our impression is this is one of the best works of art he produced. Hence, we think our asking price is quite reasonable considering the quality and high demand of this artist's work.

This piece MUST BE seen in person to fully appreciate the breathtaking quality. The images do not do this artwork justice .

Size: 24.5x30" without frame, 32x37" framed

Bio:

Fiene, born in Germany, became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1927, having spent the previous fifteen years studying art at various New York institutions and building his reputation as a painter of American scenes.

A fixture on the faculty of the Art Students League, he was also a prolific artist with a body of work spanning many media, from etchings to frescoes.
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A teacher and artist, Ernest Fiene created works in many media but was noted primarily for his landscapes of American scenes. He also did portraits, etchings, lithographs, murals and book illustrations. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he refused to isolate technique from subject matter, and incorporated his interest in human life and his optimism about humanity into his paintings.

Ernest Fiene was born in 1894. He gained is academic training at numerous art schools in New York City, including the National Academy of Design (1914 - 1918), the Beaux Arts Insititue (1916-1918), and The Art Students League in 1923. Six years later, Fiene left for a tour of Europe. While he was in Paris, he attended L'Academie de La Grane Chaumiere. After returning from France, Fiene began teaching at the Westchester County Center. In 1932 he returned to Europe and headed to Florence, Italy were he would learned the art of fresco painting.

Upon returning to the U.S. Fiene was awarded a post office mural commission titled Paul Rever as an Industrialist in Cantor, Massachussetts. One year later, in 1937, the artist was commissioned to do a mural in Washington D.C.

Fiene taught art at a number of school around the country, inlcluding the Colorado Springs Fine Arts (1935) Center and the Cooper Union Institute in New York (1938-1939). He was a member of the Art Students League from 1938-1964 and became a supervising faculty member at Famous Artists School in Westport, Connecticut.

Ernest Fiene is represented at some of the most prestigious galleries including:
· Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
· Whitney Museum of american Art, New York, NY
· Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
· Brooklyn Museum, New York, NY
· Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
· Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
· Boston Museum of Fine Art, Boston, MA