Signed Gifford Beal, 'Circus Scene with Carriage'. Watercolor, Ink & Pencil on Paper
Signed Gifford Beal (American, 1879 - 1956). Watercolor, ink & pencil painting on paper, signed lower left.

Born in new york, Gifford Beal began studying at William Merritt Chase's shinnecock school of art (the first established school of plein air painting in America) at the age of thirteen, when he accompanied his older brother, Reynolds, to summer classes. He remained a pupil of Chase for ten years, also studying with him in new york city at the artist's private studio in the tenth street studio building. Later at his father's behest, he attended princeton university from 1896 to 1900, while still continuing his lessons with Chase. Upon graduation from princeton he took classes at the art students' league, studying with impressionist landscape painter Henry Ward Ranger and boston academic painter Frank Vincent DuMond. Some of his best known pictures are of holiday crowds, circus performers and hunting scenes. He also enjoyed painting the caribbean Islands and the landscape along the hudson river as well as that of gloucester and rockport, massachusetts where he spent many summers.

He served as president of the art students league for fourteen years, which is 'a distinction unsurpassed by any other artist.' His paintings have been exhibited at the national academy of design, 1901-1921, 1923, 1930-1938, 1942-1943, 1947-1952, 1954-1956; the worcester art museum (prize), 1903; the art institute of chicago, 1904, 1909-1919, 1921,1923-1932, 1934, 1936-1944, 1946 and 1949; the pennsylvania academy of fine arts, 1904, 1906, 1908-09, 1911-12, 1914-16, 1918-20, 1924-26, 1929-30, 1932-47, 1950, 1952 and 195. He was a member of the american academy of arts and letters, the architectural league of america, and the national society of mural painters. His work can be found in numerous museums and public collections across the country. In addition, he completed a number of murals for the government, including the allentown, pa post office, the main interior building, washington, dc, as well as crestline, ohio post office as part of the WPA.
Sight - 5 3/4" high x 8 1/2" wide. Frame - 10 1/2" high x 13" wide.

Not examined out of frame, though presents as very good. Very minor wear to moulding.