Abraham Levin.
Woman With Still Life.
c. 1940.
Signed.
Oil on pressed wood (Masonite).
Loss to lower right corner, minor loss upper right corner and minor paint wear upper left corner, otherwise great condition.
Image is 30" w x 36" h.
Size with frame is 33.5" w x 40" h.
Provenance: Galerie St. Etienne
Illustrated in American Folk Art of the 20th Century, page 165.
Est. $1,000-2,000.
Ship: $350

Abraham Levin.
(1880-1957).

Levin emigrated to the United States from Lithuania and found employment in the garment industry. Bored with his sewing job, he started making pencil sketches and, at the age of 57, turned to painting. Encouraged by his teacher at a WPA art class in the Bronx community where he lived, he brought his work to the Uptown Gallery in Manhattan, which gave him his first show in 1941. Several exhibitions at the Galerie St. Etienne followed in quick succession. Initially, Levin was hailed as a great "find." The New York Times praised his first exhibition as "a thrilling experience."
When Otto Kallir first saw Abraham Levin's work in 1942, he was so impressed that he quickly changed the Galerie St. Etienne's exhibition program to make room for the artist's paintings. Kallir mounted two additional solo shows dedicated to Levin, in 1944 and 1967.