Bright Sunflower Still Life
Mid Century Oil
#C6882
$1,850
Clarice Johnson
This mid 20th century oil on canvas is by Clarice Johnson (1899-1990). Clarice Franklin Johnson and Francine Johnson Pouncey were mother and daughter artists. Clarice was born in 1899 into a family with direct Chickasaw heritage. She settled in Dallas and had six children, including Francine. Clarice painted classic still lifes and landscapes and was also a china painter and ceramic artist. Her grandson recalls her skillfully painting on porcelain cups and bowls and firing her own ceramics in a backyard kiln. She developed a Parisian-inspired approach to the still life genre, showing a strong influence of the French Impressionists, such as Camille Pissarro and Auguste Renoir. Her bouquets of flowers, arranged with Mid-Century vases and objects, feel freshly picked, with petals falling from the stems. Her grand-scale painting of sunflowers is a tour de force take on this classic arrangement and looms with legendary status in the family’s memory.
Francine studied with Dallas artist Cody Bentley (museum-collected for his still lifes and portraits) and primarily painted landscapes. Clarice and Francine would often paint together in Francine’s studio. Clarice passed away in 1990, and Francine in 1995.
Mid 20th Century
Oil on Canvas
31"x41" framed, 30"x40" unframed
Signed lower right. Framed in a contemporary wood floater frame with a walnut finish. Excellent vintage condition.