Bidspirit auction | Joseph P. Vorst (1897-1947)

Joseph P. Vorst (1897-1947) - JOSEPH VORST (1897-1947) OIL ON MASONITE. Joseph P. Vorst (1897-1947) River Landing The oil on canvas view across a turbulent river is signed lower left. Like Grant Wood, Thomas Hart Benton and John Steuart Curry, Joseph Vorst became a key figure in American Regionalism during the 1930s. He was a portrait and mural painter, block printer, and illustrator born in Essen, Germany who emigrated to America, initially settling in St. Louis. He later made his way to the Ste. Genevieve Artist Colony in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri where he became both friend and student of Thomas Hart Benton, the two eventually sharing a studio. From 1936 to 1938, Vorst exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1939 his work was included in the Corcoran Biennial and on a more grand scale, his paintings were featured at the New York World's Fair of 1939. During this same year he joined the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and was awarded Post Office mural projects in Vandalia, Missouri (Corn Harvest, 1939), Paris, Arkansas (Rural Arkansas, 1940) and Bethany, Missouri (Time Out, 1942). Vorst's work can now be seen in the public collections of the National Gallery, the Smithsonian, the Carnegie Museum of Art, and the St. Louis Art Museum. Joseph Vorst could be regarded as member of the Kansas City School of American Art , albeit a less tightly affiliated member who is still geographically and thematically aligned with the regionalist focus of this informal and underrecognized group. This is something that the collectors Jim and Virginia Moffett, owners of this work, would have recognized. They understood that the artist's focus on Midwestern rural life and regionalist themes with an emphasis on depicting the character of the Midwest, placed Vorst solidly within this movement of Midwest artists. Board measures 9.5 x 11.5 with a framed size of 14.25 x 16.25 inches. Without proof of exemption, be aware that internet sales tax applies to all Internet transactions and local sales tax may apply to local pick-up transactions. We happily provide seamless in-house packing and shipping services on nearly everything we sell. Until further notice, we cannot offer international shipping in-house. Dimensions Board measures 9.5 x 11.5 with a framed size of 14.25 x 16.25 inches. Condition Very good condition. There are no issues of scratches, losses, repairs, in-painting or touch-up. Provenance The Collection of James and Virginia Moffett, Kansas City, Missouri.