Lot 151: Johann Berthelsen O/C Snowy Manhattan Street Scene w/ Empire State Building

Johann Berthelsen (Danish/American, 1883-1972) oil on canvasboard New York City winter cityscape painting with the Empire State Building shown contre-jour before a yellow and orange sky. An American flag blows in the wind at lower center while several pedestrians stand on a sidewalk and a third begins to cross the icy street. Snow and wind obscure other, more distant figures and vehicles. Berthelsen describes the nearby building at left in relatively saturated shades of purple and blue. Signed lower right. Old, handwritten label affixed to verso reads “Johann Berthelsen / 150 W. 57th St.” (the location of the artist’s studio). Housed in a giltwood frame with cream linen liner. Canvas: 16 in. H x 12 in. W. Framed: 21 5/8 in. H x 17 5/8 in. W. Biography: Johann Berthelsen came to America as a child, and enjoyed early success as an opera singer and music teacher. His friendship with the artist Wayman Adams resulted in a move to New York and experimentation with painting. When the Great Depression took a toll on his musical career, Berthelsen began selling oil scenes of his beloved New York City, which quickly found prominent buyers including William Randolph Hearst. While he also painted pastoral and mountain landscapes, Berthelson’s snow scenes of Manhattan are particularly prized. (Source: Askart: The Artists’ Bluebook. Alternate spelling: Johann Berthelson ). 

PROVENANCE:

Private Tennessee collection.

CONDITION:

Overall very good condition. Professionally conserved by James Swope Fine Arts Conservation, West Palm Beach, FL, in 2003. With fine craquelure throughout. Minor retouching to frame abrasions, especially along upper and right edges. See UV photography.