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Joseph Delaney (Tennessee/New York, 1904-1991) oil on panel painting of a nude African American woman seated before a decorative green and white textile background, 1952. She clasps her hands around her legs and gazes toward the viewer. A gold earring hangs from her left ear and sgraffito linework describes bracelets around each wrist. Signed "Jos. Delaney," lower left, and inscribed "J.D. 52" en verso. Label taped to back on frame reads "Helen Nude / 1952 / Oil/Plywood." Housed in simple wooden frame. Panel: 31 3/4" H x 21 1/4″ W. Frame: 33″ H x 21 1/2 W. Verso painted tan. Biographical note: Joseph Delaney was born in Knoxville in 1904, the ninth of ten children born to a Methodist Minister. He and his older brother, Beauford, discovered their interest in art by drawing on Sunday School cards. In 1930, Joseph left Tennessee for New York where Beauford was also working as an artist, and enrolled in the Art Students League under the tutelage of Thomas Hart Benton and Alexander Brooke. The subject matter he found there, including the city's landmarks and its people, are the images for which he is best known. In 1986, Delaney returned to Knoxville to live and was artist-in-residence for the University of Tennessee Art Department until his death in 1991. Delaney's works are included in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Chicago Art Institute, The Knoxville Museum of Art, and The Smithsonian American Art Museum. (Courtesy of Frederick C. Moffatt)
PROVENANCE: The collection of Hollis and Keisha Langston, by descent from the estate of artist Sammie Nicely, who acquired it directly from Joseph Delaney.
CONDITION: Overall very good condition. Panel with minor warping. Faint, possibly inherent scratches to left thigh and to background, upper left. Minor chipping to edges of plywood, largest to center lower edge, 1/2" x 1/4", and to upper left corner, 5/16 x 1/4". Minor abrasion with loss to background, upper left edge, 1/2" L. With surface grime and fine craquelure throughout.
