Harold Frank (American born in England, 1921-1995). Mixed media on transparent film-like sheet, n.d. Signed at lower right. A fascinating piece by Harold Frank featuring an enchanting woman's visage delineated in black on white, large splatter-like forms in purple and grey - both embellished with gestural marks of green and black, and a dark ground of black and brown expressive brushstrokes, also embellished with gestural drawings and paint splatters. According to scholar Sandie Stern, "Like his idol de Kooning, Frank chose the human figure, as his principal subject. Variations on women became a lifelong, consistent, ubiquitous theme." (Stern, "H. Frank", p. 16) A powerful work delineated in Frank's Abstract Expressionist manner that demonstrates the artist's creative experimentation with techniques and materials. Size (sight view): 11.2" L x 9.625" W (28.4 cm x 24.4 cm) Size (matte): 20" L x 16" W (50.8 cm x 40.6 cm)

Elenore Welles' essay in Sandie Stern's "Harold Frank Abstract Expressionist 1921-1995" (2001) speaks to Harold Frank's tireless exploration of medium and technique. She writes, "The overriding desire to make the artworks fresh leads to constant experimentation with materials and textures. Working with enamel and water-based paints, he explores the inherent qualities of the paper, canvas, and corrugated board, seeking to achieve unusual effects with the back of a brush, a razor, or a screw driver. He looks for surprises."

Harold Frank studied art at the Art Students League in New York, the National Academy of Design, Pratt Institute, Chouinard Art Institute, and UCLA where he was a colleague of Richard Diebenkorn (American, 1922-1993), an artist who is oftentimes associated with Abstract Expressionism as well as a pioneer of the Bay Area Figurative Movement. In addition to Diebenkorn, Frank's influences include DeKooning, Picasso, Matisse, and Rouault. While he also created landscapes, non-objective abstract compositions, figures, and head studies, he frequently returned to still-lifes throughout his career.

For more about Harold Frank, see Sandie Stern's monograph "Harold Frank Abstract Expressionist 1921-1995" (2001).

Provenance: private Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection, acquired via descent, purchased from artist on June 25th, 1973

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#175915

Signed at lower right. Artwork has vivid imagery and coloration. Frank worked on the back of the transparent film-like sheet, so that the imagery would show through. Accompanied by an identification label.