Social Commentary Art - thoughts on artist?

Discussion in 'Art' started by OakandThistle, Mar 29, 2021.

  1. OakandThistle

    OakandThistle Member

    This painting seems to be a social commentary - seemingly on the World Bank. If so it might date to ca. 1950. Measures 10” x 24” unframed and appears to be done in a variety of media. If it is signed I’m unable to find it. Bank vault on the left. The falling blocks have “INTEGRITY,” “HONESTY,” and another “...TY” on the spines. There are various foreign currency names in the drawing and it depicts four racial groupings along the bottom. It appears to be well executed. What I’d like to learn, does anyone recognize the style as possibly being a particular artist that I could research? Also, would this be considered part of the “modern art” movement? Thanks

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    I
     
  2. OakandThistle

    OakandThistle Member

    Detail. Sorry, can’t explain why the last 3 photos are sideways ... I tried!
    B05C7EBF-A2F2-48D9-B810-0B7FB8CEA7EA.jpeg 3FD8E7BF-4AB6-46B0-89F1-8B40C046D3D0.jpeg 52541B4F-9758-42AA-9D59-24F04D76542E.jpeg D40A8DC5-3D89-4DF1-A063-B93D86A5ED5F.jpeg
     
  3. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Looks like corporate art to me. Let's start at the beginning. Where did you get it and what were you told about it? Why do you think it has an association with the World Bank? Are you sure it's an original work and not a multiple? Would you post a photograph of the work including frame? (That might help with dating.) Please also post a photograph of the back including frame along with any stickers, labels and handwritten notations.

    Debora
     
  4. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    I see "Integrity," "Honesty" and "Security." The blocks appear to represent bullion and are stamped, depending on design intention, with an "M" or a "W M."

    Debora
     
  5. i need help

    i need help Moderator Moderator

    I see FMC (I think) on one of the smaller blocks.
     
  6. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Good eyes. I thought it was AMC but...

    Debora
     
  7. OakandThistle

    OakandThistle Member

    Frame will be of no use as I framed it 10 years ago. Purchased online auction with no suggestion of artist. World Bank? Just a thought based on subject matter. Possibility “failure” (in the eyes of the artist) of some international banking institution. Back is pictured below. I believe it to be original art. 69BCE2E0-1BDB-46CE-9492-1E776FF0ED9E.jpeg
     
  8. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    FRNC?

    Debora

    3FD8E7BF-4AB6-46B0-89F1-8B40C046D3D0 2.jpg
     
  9. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Have you done a Google Image search to see if you can come up with another? To my eye. corporate art. A little story about making capital available for international project funding of some nature.

    Debora
     
  10. OakandThistle

    OakandThistle Member

  11. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    It framed nicely, didn't it? I don't see the foreign currency names. Which are they? Would you post a close-up photograph of one.

    Debora
     
  12. OakandThistle

    OakandThistle Member

    In same area ... Franc, schilling, yen, Various foreign currencies.
     
  13. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Photograph please. The currencies included help with dating. And the font used helps determine if initials are corporate/institution logo.

    Debora
     
  14. OakandThistle

    OakandThistle Member

    I interpreted the “blocks” os Honesty, security and integrity as Falling, or the failure of the same. Maybe?
     
  15. OakandThistle

    OakandThistle Member

    977E26D8-8F65-417A-B29C-DEA4FCBDEEC1.jpeg
     
  16. OakandThistle

    OakandThistle Member

  17. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Ah. Hard to decipher in photo but... The three currencies are Franc, Schilling, and Yen to your eye? A funny group of currencies but does support your work being corporate or institutional art. Given the inclusion of the Yen, it most likely dates to the 1960s-1980s when Japan was an economic powerhouse. May have something to do with shipping as the background appears to feature a port or waterway. Given the colorway, I'd think 1970s likely. If unsigned, not sure you'll ever be get much further.

    Debora
     
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  18. OakandThistle

    OakandThistle Member

    5 more possible currencies ... only know the “Ruble.” FCB6DFD4-178C-414B-8AC8-DE4E2B61B2F6.jpeg
     
  19. OakandThistle

    OakandThistle Member

    Thanks for your input. I agree I may not get much further ... just hoping someone sees something in the style that sparks a thought ... the way the families are drawn at the bottom, the stylistic lines to draw the cities and harbor ... the overall theme. When you see money flowing to the likes of England, France, Japan, Russia, etc. it makes me think of post WWII recovery. I just don’t see the vault being indicated as the USA other than the harbor possibly being NY the center of banking. All of this leads me to 50s or 60s at the latest. Just my thoughts. Again, thanks for the contributions.
     
  20. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    1950s too early. Late 1960s maybe.

    Debora
     
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