Soyer WPA Painting American NYC

Raphael Soyer. (b. 1899-1987). American. Woman with Long Red Hair. Oil on canvas. 16 x 12 in. Circa 1949. Signed lower left. Raphael was one of three artistic brothers, the others being his twin brother Moses and younger brother Isaac. Emotive depictions of solitary women were a common theme. Here a major example of Soyer's emphasis on expressing the sitter's inner self. Soyer stated: "In my opinion, if the art of painting is to survive, it must describe and express people, their lives, and times. It must communicate". Soyer studied art at Cooper Union, the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League. Provenance: Swann Galleries, May 27, 1993.