Avery Handly, Jr. (Tennessee, 1913-1958) Expressionist watercolor painting featuring multiple organic forms rendered in bright colors against an abstract background. Signed "A Handly" and illegibly dated lower right. Float mounted on a white mat under plexiglass with a beige mat and gold metallic reveal, in a giltwood frame with rounded corners. Sheet – 20"W x 14"H. Frame – 29"W x 24"H. A copy of an old, undated, unnotarized note from Joseph F. Handly, stating this is the work of his brother, Avery Handly Jr., is available to the winning bidder. Biography: Avery Handly was born in Nashville in 1913 and died in Winchester, Tennessee in 1958. He graduated from the Wallace University School and Vanderbilt University and received his first art instruction from Ella Cantrell at the Watkins Institute in Nashville. Later he studied under Thomas Hart Benton at the Kansas City Art Institute and Grant Wood at the University of Iowa. During his lifetime, important one-man shows were held at the Ward Eggleston Gallery in New York City, the University of the South at Sewanee, the Hunter Gallery in Chattanooga, the Centennial Club and Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

PROVENANCE: The collection of William and Danya Downey, Nashville, TN.

CONDITION: Couple of white paint drips to frame, otherwise both painting and frame are in excellent condition. Not examined out of frame.