Lot 965: Philip Perkins Oil Portrait of Eugenia Moore

Philip Perkins (American/Tennessee, 1907-1970) oil on canvas portrait of Nashville arts patron Eugenia Moore. She is depicted in her thirties, with dark upswept hair in three quarter view. Moore sits with her hands clasped and gazes away from the viewer; she wears a white blouse and red skirt, colors that repeat along with blue in the gestural abstract background. Signed “Perkins” upper right and dated 1963. Molded painted frame. Sight: 40 in. H x 20 in. W. Frame: 47 in. H x 36 in. W. Note: Eugenia Douglass MacFarland Moore was born 1931 in Jackson, Tennessee. She attended Rhodes College and the Julliard School, where she was a Bel canto opera singer. Although she went on to earn other degrees, Moore remained a passionate supporter of the arts throughout her life, and she was a close friend and early supporter many of Nashville’s most important artists, including Philip Perkins. Artist Biography: Philip Perkins was best known 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: The estate of Eugenia Moore, Nashville. 

CONDITION: Overall excellent condition. There is a miniscule flake with 1/4 area of crackle to the left center background. Some wear/abrasions to frame.