JOHN FRANCIS STENVALL (AMERICAN, 1907-1998) SKETCHES, LOT OF THREE, pen and ink on paper, early examples of the artist's work, including two coastal landscapes, one depicting fisherman mending nets at the harbor, each signed, unframed. Together with a later screen-printed Christmas illustration by Stenvall, signed in plate, unframed. Four pieces total. Circa 1930. Sketches 5" x 7 5/8" (each).
Very good overall condition with minor toning.
Provenance: From the estate of Mildred Schneider, North Platt, NE, niece of the artist.
Catalogue Note: Born in Wyoming, John Francis Stenvall (1907-1998) showed promise as a young artist, and, upon graduation from the University of Nebraska in 1931, received a scholarship to study at the Art Institute of Chicago, the city with which he is most often identified in his early career. Recognized as a promising WPA artist in the mid 1930's, Stenvall achieved an even greater degree of attention when he was discovered by Edith Halpern of New York, who invited the young artist to exhibit his work in her Downtown Gallery alongside other noteworthies such as Georgia O'Keefe and Stuart Wheeler. After serving three years in World War II, Stenvall returned to study at Stanford before moving on to Chicago, where he continued teaching. In 1960, Stenvall moved to Santa Cruz, California, where he continued to work as an artist, designer, and illustrator.
The present work descends from Mildred Grannell Schneider (1913-2009), the artist's niece, who received this, and several other paintings, directly from him over a period of many decades, starting in the 1930's.

Very good overall condition with minor toning.