Fountain of Youth194616 1/2 x 20 3/8 " (41.9 x 51.8 cm)
Frame: 20 x 23 3/4 x 1 1/2 " (50.8 x 60.3 x 3.8 cm)Charcoal pencil, oil, varnish on canvasGift of Shirley Paris1985.11.10(including construction) Bosch-like interpretation of the fountain of youth, central fountain in three parts: small Gothic structure topped with cupid, basin below with two naked figures, four spigots emptying into hexagonal basin below three pairs of figures in water and several figures climbing in and out of the fountain. Two black and white horses, LS and RS with figures in medieval and renaissance costume. Figural vignettes LS and RS. All figures outlined in charcoal, scultural elements on fountain painted dark brown. Fountain rests on square base with inscription below in gray band: "THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH' the whole against green landscape with wildflowers and trees silhouetted against pale yellow/ beige sky. Pictorial elements varnished, matte sky. Frame: Molded pine frame with mitered corners and nail construction, inner bezel and outer edge painted gold, interior construction yellow/green. Back: L-shaped cardboard nailed around four corners of stretcher, piece of cardboard from prune box wedged and pasted LLS between frame and stretcher. Back of frame unstained, dabs of paint. Picture hanging wire and screws.152737747C. GraefPaintingsCopyright for this work is under review. lower center: 'FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH'in paint lower right: 'C Graef'; in charcoal pencil lower right: 'C. Graef.'New YorkNew YorkUnited StatesNew YorkPaintingsBronx Borough Hall, Fall 1946New YorkObject information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgThis painting was purchased on 12/21/46, at an exhibition of artwork by senior citizens in residence in a NYC nursing home. The site of the exhibition is now the Bergen Building, Bronx Division of the Department of Buildings. A letter to the administrators of the Bergen Building brought no response.19461946 1985 11 1 Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgThis painting was purchased on 12/21/46, at an exhibition of artwork by senior citizens in residence in a NYC nursing home. The site of the exhibition is now the Bergen Building, Bronx Division of the Department of Buildings. A letter to the administrators of the Bergen Building brought no response.