Franklin Chennault "Watty" Watkins, American (1894-1972)
Cocktail Still Life
Framed: 14.5"T x 18.5"W.  Canvas: 9.75"T x 14"W

On offer bar/cocktail setup still life by well listed artist Franklin C. "Watty" Watkins (American, 1894-1972). Painted during the artists most experimental, early phase, before his turn to Goya-style figurative paintings and his subsequent return to abstraction. Cocktail glasses on a tray are flanked by ice, an orange, a large cocktail shaker and a bottle of gin. In the background liquor bottles recede into the distance. Clearly signed lower left, presented in its original frame, with numerous figurative sketches on verso.

This work takes on aspects of American modernism and cubism but, as was said in the MoMA press release for his solo show of 1950, "Watkins fails to fit any of the more striking 'ism' categories.  Gifted with a vision that embraces the familiar and the super natural, he has been successful in portraiture, mural compositions, stage design, landscape and still life..." Oil on canvas board.  Catalog or accession number on verso possibly indicating a painting date of 1949, though the canvas board itself appears to be late 1920s or early 1930s.    

Excellent, untouched condition -- scattered grime, minor losses to frame. Painting without losses, extremely stable surface.   Stunning on the wall. 

Further information and detail images below
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About Franklin Watkins

Franklin Chennault "Watty" Watkins (1894-1972). Watkins is a major 20th century American painter. His works are in many of the worlds great collections including, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art and many others. Watkins had a solo show at MoMA in 1950. 

Further information and detail images below