Loran Wilford (American, 1893-1972) oil on board impressionist style painting depicting a nude brunette young woman with red cloth draped over her legs, seated and leaning forward with her eyes cast away from the viewer, against a plain red-brown background. Signed "LF Wilford" lower right corner. Newer elaborately molded giltwood frame. Sight - 15 1/2" x 11 1/2". Frame - 27" x 23".

Biography: Loran Wilford was a painter, illustrator and teacher. He studied at the Kansas City Art Institute and with Charles Wilimovsky and George Pearse Ennis. He began his career as an illustrator for the Kansas City Star in 1917. In 1923 he moved east to Stamford, CT and lived in Connecticut until 1953 working for publications such as Cosmopolitan, Everybody's, McCall's, and Hearst's International. He illustrated several children's books written by Mabel Harmer in the 1950s and taught at the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, FL from 1936-43 and 1948-69. Source: Susan Craig, "Biographical Dictionary of Kansas Artists (Active Before 1945)."

PROVENANCE: The collection of Dr. Ken and Linda Moore.

Narrow line of exfoliation to left edge, likely abrasions from an earlier frame. Tiny flake lower left near signature. Otherwise painting in good condition. Frame is relatively new and in excellent condition.