John Decker
(1895-1947)
"Homage to Van Gogh," circa 1941
Oil on board
Signed lower right: Decker; inscribed, verso: Death of Van Gogh
29.5" H x 36" W
Provenance: Private Collection, California

Exhibited: Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles County Museum, 1942
Hollywood, CA, Frank Perls Gallery, February 22, 1942

Literature: Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, February 14, 1942, 10 (illustrated)
The Los Angeles Times, February 15, 1942, 52 (not illustrated)
The Los Angeles Times, February 22, 1942, 48 (not illustrated)
The Los Angeles Times, March 1, 1942, 54 (not illustrated)
The Ogen Standard-Examiner, March 23, 1942, 9 (not illustrated)

Other Notes:
This work was pictured in the Los Angeles Evening Citizen News where Herman Reuter remarked: "In much the same technique that Van Gogh himself might have used, John Decker has transferred to canvas his conception of the scene wherein the painter lay in his coffin atop the billiard table that formed the central motif in one of his pictures. Surrounding the coffin are a group of Van Gogh's friends, including Pere Tanguy, the art dealer whose support of the unfortunate painter never faltered. The canvas is drama in paint. Sadness pervades it. To have seen it once is to remember it. The paint has been put on with the same boldness and decision that characterized everything that Van Gogh painted. The canvas, which is now at the Los Angeles County Museum, will be included in Decker's one-man show, to open at the Frank Perls Gallery, 8634 Sunset Blvd, Feb. 22."

Condition: Overall good condition. Dust accumulation, grime, and light discoloration commensurate with age.

Blacklight: No evidence of restoration.

Frame: 32" H x 38" W x 1" D Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.