Large John Millard Ferren (American, 1905-1970) oil on canvas abstract expressionist painting titled "Summer," depicting abstract geometric shapes and lines in shades of blue, cream, orange, taupe and brown on an off-white background. Signed lower right "Ferren". A. M. Sachs Gallery label and The Phillips Collection Art Museum labels en verso. Housed in a simple chrome frame with black liner. Sight: 80" H x 59" W. Framed: 81 1/4" H x 60" W. Created 1952-1953. Biography: John Ferren grew up in various parts of the Northwest and in his early years, studied briefly at the California School of Fine Arts (now the San Francisco Art Institue) and worked in sculpture. During a trip to Europe he met artist Hans Hofmann who influenced him to become a painter. He studied at Academies de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris, Colarossi, and the Sorbonne, and had further study at the University of Florence. In Europe, he became friends with Picasso and exhibited with members of the Abstraction-Creation artist group which included Kandinsky and Mondrian. In 1936, Matisse hosted a show of Ferren's work as his New York gallery. Ferren also joined and lead "The Club" in New York, an informal group of artists who represented the social-intellectual center of abstract expressionism in the city. By 1947 but built a summer studio in Brentwood, CA and taught summer sessions at the Art Center School and UCLA. He was the artistic consultant for Alfred Hitchcock films The Trouble with Harry and Vertigo, for which he designed the unforgettable nightmare sequence. Ferren had about 40 solo exhibitions and participated in over 100 group shows in Paris, New York, London, Chicago and California. (sources: Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"; Askart; The Phillips Collection). Provenance: The Estate of James W. Perkins, Jr., Nashville, Tennessee.

Very good condition. Overall light grime across surface of painting. Area of craquelure in the center of the work where light blue paint had been applied. Area of light craquelure in right upper quadrant. Two errant marks of grime on surface noted to lower right quadrant, one 1" and the other 1 3/4".