Pastel on paper by F. Usher DeVoll (1873-1941). Signed lower right. Framed & matted under glass: 23" x 21". DeVoll is an important American painter who is enjoying a resurgence of interest by collectors and researchers alike. Born in Providence, he was a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design in 1896. He trained with W.Merritt Chase & Robert Henri at the Art Student's League & embraced the Ashcan school painting gritty scenes of NYC. While DeVoll made Rhode Island his home, he is best known for these paintings of New York streets and harbor scenes. Whistler stated that nocturnal scenes were the most challenging for artists & few could master them. DeVoll did & won the silver medal (1st prize) at Panama-Pacific Expo in SF in 1915 with his painting East River, NY, Winter . That painting sold for $66K at Sotheby's in 2006. Frequently DeVoll would travel to the empire city huddling along its doorways and riding the Staten Island Ferry to capture the city from the perspective of its every day inhabitants.“Nature is jealous of her secrets and one must woo her with an ardent spirit to gain an understanding of her most fascinating moods, and I have spent many happy hours, - days, -years, in working to reproduce many of her subtle changes.” ( F. Usher DeVoll).

Fair. Heavily toned.

10 x 12 in

5 lb