Mention the name of Sol Wilson in the art world today and you’ll likely get a puzzled look. From the American mid-century, Wilson was one of the best-known artists. He was included in art books and exhibits, with great gallery representation. Today he is still celebrated in Provincetown and other locations along the upper north-east coast.
Wilson was man’s artist. He painted the sea, wharves, fishermen and shore-men who worked the pier. These dark broody paintings with his navy-blue brush "sketch-technique" reflected his educational influences. His famous instructors, George Bellows and Robert Henri were instrumental in developing his style of Expressionist Realism.
Wilson arrived in America at the age of fifteen from present day Lithuania. He had worked in his father’s lithography shop as a boy. Here in the states, Wilson attended art classes at Cooper Union, the National Academy, and the Ferrer School. This education enhanced his talent and provided the artistic skills necessary to garner recognition from the art establishment.
By the 1920s, Wilson’s work fully reflected the places he loved: Rockport, Cape Cod and Provincetown. By the 1940s, he was an artist in demand, he was commissioned to paint a murals for both Delmar and Westhampton Beach, NY. As time when on his works were included in collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Brooklyn Museum, the Library of Congress, plus numerous other institutions.
In the painting below: “Exit to the Sea” with a Babcock Galleries label, fits within his gloomy maritime scenes. In this painting, Wilson uses deeply saturated hues, spread with heavy impasto, evoking a gloomy atmosphere of the oceanside pier. His quick-sketch technique is used to capture the fishermen on the dock and the dark clouds reflects the impending storm.
Wilson was man’s artist. He painted the sea, wharves, fishermen and shore-men who worked the pier. These dark broody paintings with his navy-blue brush "sketch-technique" reflected his educational influences. His famous instructors, George Bellows and Robert Henri were instrumental in developing his style of Expressionist Realism.
Wilson arrived in America at the age of fifteen from present day Lithuania. He had worked in his father’s lithography shop as a boy. Here in the states, Wilson attended art classes at Cooper Union, the National Academy, and the Ferrer School. This education enhanced his talent and provided the artistic skills necessary to garner recognition from the art establishment.
By the 1920s, Wilson’s work fully reflected the places he loved: Rockport, Cape Cod and Provincetown. By the 1940s, he was an artist in demand, he was commissioned to paint a murals for both Delmar and Westhampton Beach, NY. As time when on his works were included in collections at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Brooklyn Museum, the Library of Congress, plus numerous other institutions.
In the painting below: “Exit to the Sea” with a Babcock Galleries label, fits within his gloomy maritime scenes. In this painting, Wilson uses deeply saturated hues, spread with heavy impasto, evoking a gloomy atmosphere of the oceanside pier. His quick-sketch technique is used to capture the fishermen on the dock and the dark clouds reflects the impending storm.
Wilson’s artistic career spanned over fifty years. He was represented by the premier Babcock Galleries for 37 years, now is represented by Julie Heller. He died in New York at 81.
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"Exit to the Sea"
Signed Lower Right
Babcock Galleries Tag #6912
Signature Example
Wood Molding and Wood Liner Frame
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Waller-Yoblonsky Fine Art is a research collaborative, working to track artists that got lost and overlooked due to time, changing styles, race, gender and/or sexual orientation. Our frequent blogs highlight artists and art movements that need renewed attention with improved information for the researcher and art collectors. The photos in this blog were created by Mr. Waller and all written materials were obtained by the Fair Use Section 107, of The Copyright Act. #waller-yoblonskyblogspot #SolWilson |
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