KARL T. PLATH
(American 1886-1970)
Lesser, Greater and Red Birds of Paradise
Oil on panel
20 x 25.25 inches/50.8 x 64.1 centimeters
Signed lower right "Karl Plath"
Verso: Titled and signed in pencil; Exhibition label reading in part "Bird Paintings, by Karl Plath, Special Exhibition, Dec. 14, 1963 - Jan. 20, 1964, Chicago Natural History Museum"
Frame: 25.25 x 30.25 inches
NOTE:
Karl Plath was a Chicago native who made his life work the delineation of bird forms. Plath was a student at the Academy of Fine Arts and frequent exhibitor and alumnus of the Art Institute of Chicago throughout the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Plath also exhibited with the Chicago Galleries, the Cliff Dwellers and the Chicago Woman's Club and a well-received solo exhibition at Knoedler Galleries in 1932. Plath was invited to be the Curator of Birds at the Brookfield Zoo and he would often travel the world in search of rare and beautiful specimens. His own aviary in his home held hundreds of bird species and in all respects Karl Plath was an exceptional and highly regarded ornithologist and painter of birds.
The art reviewer for the Chicago Daily Tribune, Eleanor Jewett said of Karl Plath in April 30th, 1932 "Faced with his superb paintings of exotic and colorful birds nothing is of value except the satisfying fact that (his work is of) exquisite and trained technique." She also says of the artist "A consuming love of birds since boyhood has been the inspiration for much of the joy of Karl Plath's life, and his writings and scientific illustrations have earned for him an international reputation." She goes on to say "Mr. Plath has succeeded in mastering the exquisite craftsmanship . . . these are not illustrations he puts before you, these are decorative paintings, beautifully balanced, gorgeously colored. They are whimsical, independent, gay or sober as the different characters of his subjects make them."
(American 1886-1970)
Lesser, Greater and Red Birds of Paradise
Oil on panel
20 x 25.25 inches/50.8 x 64.1 centimeters
Signed lower right "Karl Plath"
Verso: Titled and signed in pencil; Exhibition label reading in part "Bird Paintings, by Karl Plath, Special Exhibition, Dec. 14, 1963 - Jan. 20, 1964, Chicago Natural History Museum"
Frame: 25.25 x 30.25 inches
NOTE:
Karl Plath was a Chicago native who made his life work the delineation of bird forms. Plath was a student at the Academy of Fine Arts and frequent exhibitor and alumnus of the Art Institute of Chicago throughout the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. Plath also exhibited with the Chicago Galleries, the Cliff Dwellers and the Chicago Woman's Club and a well-received solo exhibition at Knoedler Galleries in 1932. Plath was invited to be the Curator of Birds at the Brookfield Zoo and he would often travel the world in search of rare and beautiful specimens. His own aviary in his home held hundreds of bird species and in all respects Karl Plath was an exceptional and highly regarded ornithologist and painter of birds.
The art reviewer for the Chicago Daily Tribune, Eleanor Jewett said of Karl Plath in April 30th, 1932 "Faced with his superb paintings of exotic and colorful birds nothing is of value except the satisfying fact that (his work is of) exquisite and trained technique." She also says of the artist "A consuming love of birds since boyhood has been the inspiration for much of the joy of Karl Plath's life, and his writings and scientific illustrations have earned for him an international reputation." She goes on to say "Mr. Plath has succeeded in mastering the exquisite craftsmanship . . . these are not illustrations he puts before you, these are decorative paintings, beautifully balanced, gorgeously colored. They are whimsical, independent, gay or sober as the different characters of his subjects make them."
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Auction details
The Summer Sale
11:00 AM PT - Jul 12th, 2008
offered by
The Chicago Art Auction
740 North Ogden Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622-7063
Chicago, IL 60622-7063
