This 1845 charcoal on paper portrait is entitled WYN L. and is by Oakland artist Rip Matteson (1920-2011). Matteson was educated at U.C. Berkeley, C.C.A.C, Scuola di Belle Arte in Rome, the Parsons School of Design in NYC, and received his DFA from Blackburn College. He founded the art program of the Monterey Peninsula College and taught at Laney College in Oakland. He also served as the president of the Carmel Art Association where he showed his work his entire life. This work was done while the artist was studying at CCAC.
Matteson was enamored with Japanese art and particularly woodblock prints. Many of his works contain a traditional Japanese-style chop block with an acronym carrying a secret message to his wife.
1945 Charcoal on Paper 19"x25" unframed
Signed and titled on the bottom. Good vintage condition.