A Tribute to Kentucky Artist, Henry Lawrence Faulkner (1924-1981)

A Tribute to Kentucky Artist, Henry Lawrence Faulkner Exhibition and Sale of Selected Works from Private Collections July 12-14, 2013

Henry Lawrence Faulkner (1924 – 1981) Photograph: Henry Faulkner and Alice From a private collection, unknown photographer.

A Tribute to Kentucky Artist, Henry Lawrence Faulkner (1924 – 1981) Exhibition and Sale of Selected Works from Private Collections Cowan’s Auctions is pleased to present a collection of works by Henry Lawrence Faulkner in conjunction with our Summer Fine and Decorative Art Auction.

Henry Faulkner was born in Falling Timber, Kentucky. His flamboyant lifestyle carried him from childhood in rural Kentucky through a bohemian existence in New York, Los Angeles, Key West and Sicily.

His most pronounced traits were artistry, poetry, and reverence for nature, love for animals, restlessness and disdain for social convention. To the public, he was an eccentric rebel, but to his friend and playwright, Tennessee Williams, Faulkner was a “brilliant” poet.

He was the nonconformist who brought his bourbon-drinking goat, Alice, to parties and exhibitions. It was said Alice could sniff out a good Kentucky bourbon from across the room. Faulkner’s bizarre behavior was the natural expression of an unceasing and unblushing childlike wonder at the world around him and of an unusual sensitivity to beauty.

His oil paintings are characterized by their bright and rich tones, curvilinear brushstrokes and his distinctive and quirky subject matter. His work is truly unique and reflective of his personality.

In recent years, Cowan’s has had the honor of offering Faulkner’s works at auction. His paintings have been well received and sought after by collectors throughout the region. Each time Faulkner’s work makes its way to the auction block, staff and collectors marvel at its vibrant and whimsical nature. Older collectors, especially those from the Lexington, Kentucky area, often regale us with stories and memories of the artist, prone to strolling down the streets of Lexington clad in overalls accompanied by Alice.

Faulkner’s works are scattered throughout Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, New York and even continental Europe given his wide social network, his career exhibitions, and his extensive travel. Faulkner’s paintings often changed hands through gallery sales, personal gifts and individual commissions. People are drawn to his unique personality reflected in his work and we are pleased to present a number of fine examples absorbed by collectors over the years.

Biographical information compiled from The Outrageous Life of Henry Faulkner: Portrait of an Appalachian Artist, by Charles House (University of Tennessee Press, 1988)

Cowan’s would like to thank the following individuals for their generous contributions to this exhibition: Roseann and David Downey, Stanford, KY Debra and David Hausrath, Fort Thomas, KY Dottie and Zeff Maloney, Lexington, KY Warren and Julie Payne, Louisville, KY Gerald and Ann Silvers, Fort Mitchell, KY Anisa and Kevin Willis, Fort Mitchell, KY

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

1

Staircase in Taormina Oil and casein on masonite Signed u.l.

Label on verso indicating Taormina as the subject 19.25 x 15.25 in. (sight) 25 x 21.25 in. (framed) In 1961, Henry Faulkner traveled to Taormina, Sicily to board at Casa Cuseni, where he began to develop his more consistent style as a painter. By this time, his work was well received in a few galleries in the States, and the growing demand necessitated Faulkner to occasionally send his work back for shows. One of these establishments was Closson’s Gallery in Cincinnati, where this and the following painting were purchased in the early 60s.

From excerpts in Faulkner’s biography, The Outrageous Life of Henry Faulkner by Charles House (1988), we know that Faulkner often would scour the antique shops in Taormina, finding old frames for which he could repurpose with his oils. He would place the masonite board inside the frame and prepare it, and would proceed to execute the painting, running outward into the frame as well. This and the following painting (which is probably a mirror frame) were almost certainly executed in this manner.

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

Italian Landscape Oil and casein on masonite Signed in center, below tree branch Housed in a mirror frame 17.5 x 11.5 in. (sight) 24.5 x 15 in. (framed)

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

3

Strawberries Oil, casein, and gilt on masonite Signed u.l.

Housed in original gilt wood frame and painted by the artist 13 x 10 in. (sight) 16 x 13 in. (framed) Throughout his career, Faulkner consistently painted still lifes and made them his own.

Strawberries were a recurring theme, vibrantly painted with repeating strawberry wallpaper.

In this frame, the greens of the wallpaper echo in the gilt frame.

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

The Cellist Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.r.

Housed in antique gilt and gesso frame 23.25 x 15.5 in. (sight) 31 x 24 in. (framed) It is not known why Faulkner became enamored with the subject of musicians, but he did paint the subject occasionally, probably in the late 1950s and 60s. We know that Faulkner was inspired by the work of Marc Chagall from his visits to the Armory Show in New York, and his love of music rubbed off on the young artist- notice the visual representation of music in the form of flowers spilling from the cello.

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

5

Lemon and Box Oil and casein on masonite Signed u.l.

Housed in a vintage gilt and gesso frame with linen liner 8 x 12 in. (sight) 17.5 x 22 in. (framed) This work was likely executed somewhere in Italy, probably Taormina. Like the strawberry theme, lemons are a recurring fruit in paintings from this period. This example is offered with the original pill box which Faulkner used as a study piece for the box in the still life.

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

Still Life of Flowers Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.l.

16 x 12 in. (sight) 23 x 19 in. (framed) From the Collection of Anisa and Kevin Willis, Fort Mitchell, KY

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

7

Still Life with Boot and Pears Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.l.

Housed in an artist-rendered frame 9.5 x 11.5 in. (sight) 13.5 x 15.5 in. (framed) This work is another example in which the wallpaper echoes the subject of pears in the background. The painting was also likely executed during Faulkner’s tenure in Italy.

From the Collection of Anisa and Kevin Willis, Fort Mitchell, KY

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

Marc Chagall with a Chandelier for God Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.r.

Inscribed with title and signed on verso by the artist 37.5 x 17.5 in. (sight) 44.5 x 24.5 in. (framed) Faulkner viewed Chagall’s work at the Armory Show in New York, and visual representations of the artist appear in several extant works.

From the Collection of Anisa and Kevin Willis, Fort Mitchell, KY A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

9

Iris in Milk Pitcher Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.r.

Titled and dated 1972 on verso 28 x 21 in. (sight) 32.5 x 25.25 in. (framed) The technique of applying paint over black gesso which appears to “edge” the subjects as seen here, provides dramatic highlights and is characteristic of Faulkner’s work after his return to Lexington, KY in the 1960s.

From the Collection of Anisa and Kevin Willis, Fort Mitchell, KY

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

Noah’s Ark Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.r.

33.5 x 23.5 in. (sight) 38.5 x 29 in. (framed) Noah’s Ark embodied many of Faulkner’s finest artistic traits and is an important and substantial work by the artist. The subject incorporates Faulkner’s great joy and his love of animals (at times, the artist kept dozens of animals at his home in Lexington). Alice- his beloved goat- is pictured, as well as numerous others. The waves in the foreground are reflective of the repetitive nature of Faulkner’s backdrops and surrounding imagery.

From the Collection of Roseann and David Downey, Stanford, KY

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

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Still Life of Flowers in Bird Vase Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.l.

39.5 x 29.5 in. (sight) 46 x 36 in. (framed) From the Collection of Roseann and David Downey, Stanford, KY

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

Cave Hill, Commissioned Work Oil and casein on masonite Signed on verso 27.5 x 35.25 in. (sight) 36 x 44 in. (framed) The unidentified home is most likely a commissioned work, and Faulkner portrayed it absorbed by nature.

From the Collection of Roseann and David Downey, Stanford, KY

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

13

Things I Love Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.r.

10.25 x 14.25 in. (sight) 12.5 x 16.5 in. (framed) Appropriately titled Things I Love, Faulkner portrays his goat Alice, as well as Sweet Evening Breeze, a cross dresser who may have lived with the artist for a time.

From the Collection of Roseann and David Downey, Stanford, KY

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

Street Scene in Midway Kentucky Oil and casein on masonite Signed u.l.

25.5 x 29 in. (sight) 31 x 36 in. (framed) From the Collection of Roseann and David Downey, Stanford, KY

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

15

By the Ionian Sea Oil and casein on masonite Signed u.r.

Titled, signed and dated 1970 on verso 27.5 x 20.5 in. (sight) 30 x 23.5 in. (framed) From the Collection of Roseann and David Downey, Stanford, KY

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

House with Fountain in Gratz Park Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.r.

Titled l.l.

14.5 x 20.27 in. (sight) 20 x 26.5 in. (framed) From the Collection of Debra and David Hausrath, Fort Thomas, KY

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

17

Horses and Kentucky Bourbon Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.r.

19.75 x 14 in. (sight) 26.5 x 21 in. (framed) While Faulkner often struggled for acceptance in Lexington, he was selling out shows in Palm Beach and Cincinnati. The subject of this painting is overtly Kentucky in nature, perhaps to appeal to a local audience.

From the Collection of Dottie and Zeff Maloney, Lexington, KY

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

Still Life with Alice in the Moonlight Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.l.

19.25 x 15.25 (sight) 28.5 x 25 in. (framed) From the Collection of Dottie and Zeff Maloney, Lexington, KY

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

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Friends in Taormina Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.l 9 x 7 in. (sight) 14 x 12 in. (framed) From the Collection of Dottie and Zeff Maloney, Lexington, KY

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

My Soul is in the Mulberry Tree Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.r.

Titled on verso 14 x 12 in. (sight) 19 x 17 in. (framed) From the Collection of Gerald and Ann Silvers, Fort Mitchell, KY

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

21

Shore Leave, Key West Graphite, oil and casein on masonite Signed l.r.

Titled on verso 11.25 x 14.25 in. (sight) 16.5 x 19.5 in. (framed) Faulkner made his home in Lexington during his later years, but was always somewhat of a folk hero in Key West. He kept a residence there and continually showed his work. In Key West he was linked to Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and Vincent Price. The two sailors in the painting are most likely friends of Faulkner’s and a photograph accompanying the work shows the artist with the pair.

From the Collection of Gerald and Ann Silvers, Fort Mitchell, KY

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

Antebellum Bluegrass Mansion Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.r.

9.5 x 13.5 in. (sight) 14 x 18 in. (framed) From the Collection of Warren and Julie Payne, Louisville, KY

A TRIBUTE TO KENTUCKY ARTIST, HENRY LAWRENCE FAULKNER (1924-1981)

JULY 12-14, 2013 CINCINNATI, OHIO

23

Still Life Oil and casein on masonite Signed l.l.

8.5 x 6 in. (sight) 11 x 8.5 in. (framed) The Estate of Kenneth Lloyd, Lexington, KY

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COWAN’S AUCTIONS

Cowan’s Auctions 6270 Este Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45232 513.871.1670 fax 513.871.8670 info@cowans.com cowans.com