Lot 323: Philip Perkins Oil Portrait of Syd Hailey, Exhibited

Philip Perkins (Tennessee, 1907-1970) oil on canvas portrait of Syd Houston Hailey, Jr., 1932. The boy is depicted at about age 12, wearing a green sweater and holding a book, seated in a chair before a purple and blue drape background. Signed upper left-center and dated 1932. Wide ivory painted molded wood frame. Sight: 29 in H x 23 in W. Frame: 35 in H x 29 in W. Exhibited, Philip Perkins Retrospective 1932-1949, The Nashville Centennial Club, 1949. An exhibition brochure with note from one of the organizers accompanies this lot, along with a period newspaper review of the exhibit by Sue Joy noting this portrait is a “splendid example of the early ability of the artist.” Biographical Note: Philip Perkins received critical acclaim for his geometric, cubist-influenced work of the 1940s and his abstract expressionism in the 1950s. He was born in Waverly, Tennessee and studied at Vanderbilt University and the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1932 he moved to Paris, France, where he studied under Jean Marchaud, Louis Marcoussis, and Fernand Leger. In 1934, he exhibited at the Salon D’Automne and the Salon de Tuileries. In 1940, he moved to New York City and, in 1947, participated in the International Surrealist Exhibition. He spent seven years teaching art at the University of Tennessee in Nashville (1948-1955) but went back to Europe for several more years before returning to Nashville in 1961.

PROVENANCE: Private Nashville collection. 

CONDITION: Canvas laid to board. A couple of scattered tiny (1/8-inch or less) flakes, mostly to the lower third of the painting, including in subject’s lap and on arm. Small scratches to upper center edge. Possible repaired tears at lower edge, center, and at left edge, center, in background.