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Frank's Picks
Frank Hettig | Vice President, Modern & Contemporary Art, Dallas
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In Standing Figure III (2002), David Bates
masterfully translates the bold expressiveness of his paintings into sculptural
form. Cast in bronze with a rich dark patina, the figure reflects the same
vigor and emotional depth that define his celebrated canvases. Bates's bronze
works, which received major recognition in the Nasher Sculpture Center's
landmark exhibition David Bates, reveal the artist's seamless command of both
line and volume. In this piece, the tactile surface and confident gesture
embody the essence of his Texas roots while affirming his standing as one of
America's most distinctive contemporary voices.
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In the years following World War II, Robert O. Preusser
stood out as one of Texas's most forward-thinking modernists. Trained at the
Institute of Design in Chicago under György Kepes and László Moholy-Nagy, he
absorbed the Bauhaus ideas of harmony between art, science, and structure. This
background gave his paintings a balance of precision and imagination, where
design and intuition meet. Though not a Surrealist in the classic sense,
Preusser often explored what he called an "abstract surrealism," using organic
forms and subtle symbolism to evoke unseen forces and emotional states.
Created in 1953, Radiation reflects that
sensibility perfectly. Its title suggests energy fields, motion, and invisible
power - themes that resonated deeply in an era fascinated by science and
technology. Rather than depicting radiation literally, Preusser visualizes it
as rhythmic movement, radiating color and form across the panel. The painting
embodies his belief that emotion could be expressed through structure, turning
the intangible into a visual rhythm.
Exhibited by New York's Downtown Gallery, Radiation stands
as an important marker in Preusser's evolution - a synthesis of Bauhaus clarity
and postwar expression. Beyond his own studio practice, his long tenure at MIT
allowed him to pass on this vision to generations of designers and architects,
influencing the visual language of mid-century modernism in America.
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Alissa's Picks
Alissa Ford | Vice President, American & Western Art
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I absolutely get lost in this monumental pond of lilies. A
clear tribute to Monet, Alexander's Pink Dawn depicts a lush,
dreamlike pond teeming with water lilies and dense reflections. The artist uses
deep greens, blues, and soft pinks to create a sense of both serenity and
mystery, blurring the line between water and vegetation. Through layered brushwork
and diffused light, Alexander conjures the timeless beauty of nature's quiet,
tangled abundance.
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While most people know Onderdonk for his extraordinary
depictions of bluebonnets, it is rare to see his early work from the East
Coast, when he was studying with William Merritt Chase. During this time,
Onderdonk refined his artistic technique and found inspiration in the Tonalist
work of George Inness, absorbing the captivating style that would later define
his Texas landscapes. Onderdonk's atmospheric palette and soft color
transitions are poetic and moody. In the Berkshires, with its
warm golden tones and gentle depiction of a path winding through the trees
under a luminous sky, exemplifies Onderdonk's mastery of Tonalism and his
ability to capture the serene harmony of nature.
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I have always enjoyed Darge's stylized vistas. Born in
Germany, he immigrated to the United States in 1923, where he studied at the
Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League in New York. After World
War II, Darge converted a military ambulance into a mobile studio and traveled
throughout Texas and New Mexico until 1978, later teaching and creating from
his Dallas studio near the Art Association. His painting, West Texas
Landscape with Cattle, radiates the same playful energy and vivid
palette characteristic of Edith Hamlin and Maynard Dixon. The dynamic interplay
of light and shadow, along with the cattle's direct acknowledgment of the
viewer, creates the sensation of journeying through the wide, sunlit expanses
of West Texas yourself.
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Emily's Pick
Emily Spahn | Associate Specialist & Lead Cataloguer, American Art
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As a Texas-based auction house, I am always excited to see
our upcoming William Slaughter paintings. Each of his works feels like looking
back into a picture-perfect memory of Texas serenity. Initially ordained as a
Lutheran pastor, Slaughter was soon drawn to the calling of art, quickly
becoming regionally known for his depictions of the Texas Hill Country,
especially the bluebonnet season. Though primarily self-taught, Slaughter's
mastery is undeniable. Bluebonnets in Bloom perfectly captures
the essence of the landscape, with the familiar oak tree to the right, a few
scattered cacti, and our beloved state flower in full glory.
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Formally trained in Paris, Dawson Dawson-Watson first
arrived in Texas in 1917, and by 1926, he had settled permanently in San
Antonio. Known for his vibrant impressionist interpretations, Cacti in
Bloom perfectly represents the artist's skill in handling light and
color. The simplicity of the brushstrokes brings out the ruggedness of the
cacti lining the road, showcasing Dawson-Watson's deep affection for the Texas
landscape. Through its luminous color and serene composition, Cacti in
Bloom invites viewers to pause and appreciate the quiet beauty of
Texas's native flora.
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Heritage Auctions is proud to present four pastel works by
Josephine Oliver in our upcoming auction. There is no denying that Oliver's art
is breathtaking. Within such a modest surface, she captures remarkable depth
and the sweeping expanse of West Texas with extraordinary sensitivity. Her
ability to convey vastness through pastel invites viewers to lose themselves in
the "window" she creates. A devoted student of Frank Reaugh, Oliver joined him
on month-long sketching trips to West Texas throughout the late 1920s and early
1930s-experiences that profoundly shaped her artistic vision and can be seen
throughout these four works.
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Find these and other works that capture the spirit, grit, and grace of Texas in our November 7 Texas Art Signature® Auction . This auction's session time is 11:00 AM Central Time, Friday, November 7.
Sincerely,
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Frank Hettig
Vice President, Modern & Contemporary Art
Dallas
FrankH@HA.com
(214) 409-1157
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Alissa Ford
Vice President,
American & Western Art
AlissaF@HA.com
(214) 409-1926
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Emily Spahn
Associate Specialist & Lead Cataloguer
American Art
ESpahn@HA.com
(214) 409-1371
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