Paul Forster (American, 1925-2012). "Indian Innocence" oil on board, n.d. Artist's signature with title handwritten on verso. A breathtaking painting by Paul Forster depicting a portrait of a young Indian woman hypnotically gazing forth from a doe-eyed visage of gently arched brows and rosebud lips, all framed by thick, lengthy hair. Her rich complexion and dense coiffure contrast nicely with the white of her blouse, the warm marigold of her cardigan, and the mottled periwinkle and light green background. Forster's characteristic lofty strokes create a perfect blurring effect to portray her soft, smooth skin. Her expression is inquisitive, as though about to ask the viewer a question, and in turn inviting us to wonder what she may be pondering. How to preserve her cultural heritage? What the future holds for the Native American Indian people? A striking portrait perfectly complemented by a beautifully texturized, wooden custom frame. Size of painting: 19.5" W x 23.5" H (49.5 cm x 59.7 cm) Size of frame: 31" W x 35" H (78.7 cm x 88.9 cm)

At the age eight, Paul Forster became the youngest member of the Albright Art Gallery Association in Buffalo, New York and also started studying at the Museum School with watercolorist Robert Blair. During World War II, Forster served in the Army Air Corps, and in 1952, he graduated from Brigham Young University with a Fine Arts Degree. In the late 1950s, Forster had a studio in Nevada painted murals for the Mormon Church. In the early 1960s, he taught art and became Chairman of the Art Department of the L.D.S. Schools of the South Pacific in Tonga. In 1969 he left Brigham Young University to paint full time. For the greater part of the next decade, Forster traveled throughout the American Southwest in an Airstream trailer to paint. In time, he moved to Oregon followed by Kansas City, but eventually returned to Arizona.

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#174734

Artist's signature with title handwritten on verso. Set in custom frame with suspension wire on verso for display. Painting and frame are in excellent overall condition.