This is a really very beautiful and virtuosic early painting by the African-American artist Joe Sam, painted in either Harlem or San Francisco sometime during the late 1950’s/early 1960’s, capturing the simple joys of playing in the sun. It is a mixed media painting, done in encaustics in some areas, giving the piece a very dimensional, textural surface quality (see photo). Graphite, oilstick, crayon, and oil paints have also been successfully incorporated in giving the work a radiating warmth as kids roll dice, play basketball and jump rope in its rays. The painting is very solid and sturdy, and still in its original painted handmade wood frame (ready to hang), measuring approx. 49″ x 25″ x 2 and weighing approx. It is also signed in the bottom right corner JoeSam. (see photo), although it is not visibly dated. There are some small chips on the frame (see photos), and other bits of minor wear associated with age, which simply add more character to this extremely vibrant piece of African-American art. I have owned and thoroughly enjoyed this painting for almost 25 years now, and would love to see it give the same enjoyment to a new owner! The item “AFRICAN-AMERICAN FOLK ART Painting by JOE SAM, HARLEM/SAN FRANCISCO c. 1950s/60s” is in sale since Tuesday, January 31, 2017. This item is in the category “Art\Paintings”. The seller is “floatingmonolith” and is located in Portland, Oregon. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Listed By: Dealer or Reseller
- Signed?: Signed
- Medium: Mixed Media
- Subject: Citylife
- Size Type/Largest Dimension: Large (Greater than 30in.)
- Date of Creation: 1950-1969
- Region of Origin: US
- Artist: Joe Sam
- Painting Surface: Wood
- Framed/Unframed: Framed
- Main Color: Multi-Color