Lot 1172: 35 George Cress Abstract Drawings, Sketches & Studies

A collection of thirty-five (35) George Cress (American/Tennessee, 1921-2008) abstract studies, sketches, and other miscellaneous small works on paper including one (1) charcoal drawing signed and dated 1998, one (1) charcoal drawing inscribed “Path of Light,” eighteen (18) other charcoal drawings, one (1) matted graphite drawing signed and dated 1974, eleven (11) other graphite drawings, and three (3) ink drawings (one on tracing paper). All with museum accession numbers en verso. Sheet dimensions range from 3 1/16 in H x 2 3/16 in W to 14 in H x 16 1/2 in W. Mat: 14 3/4 in H x 17 3/8 in W. Biographical note: “George Cress was born in Anniston, Alabama and studied at Emory University, American University, and the University of Georgia, where he studied under fellow Southern contemporary artist Lamar Dodd. He was a central figure in Chattanooga’s arts community and served as President of the Tennessee Arts Council. He sat on the board of the Hunter Museum of Art. From 1951-1984 he was painter in residence at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. The Cress Gallery of Art at UTC is named in his honor.” (Source: The Tennessee Historical Quarterly Vol. XLIV No. 2: Landscape and Genre Painting in Tennessee 1810-1985).

PROVENANCE: Property of the Hunter Museum of American Art.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition. Some sheets with tonings and handling wear primarily to edges.