Description:

William Cordray Simmons
New Jersey/ NYC, (1888-1970)
Woman and Girl
synthetic resin on canvas mounted on board
This lovely portrait of a young woman and a girl was painted by Cordray Simmons during his time in Cornwall, England, sometime in the summer of 1926-27. On a partially cloudy day, the two ladies stand in the center of the canvas surrounded on three sides by painted homes and a little greenery. The woman places her hand on the shoulder of the girl; they are possibly mother and daughter, or perhaps sisters or cousins. They themselves wear colourful dresses, have short hair and gaze directly at the viewer.

After his time in Celtic Cornwall, Cordray Simmons met another painter, Louise (Lue) Osborne (of Belleville, IL), in Greenwich Village. They married and experimented with paints and painting techniques together in NYC.

This painting was made using a synthetic resin. The couple discovered a true synthetic paint medium, a substance created from pigments, resin binders and solvents—which paved the way toward the development of acrylic paint—the most popular paint of our times. Neither painter has been credited with the invention nor did either profit from the invention of this innovative medium that would not fade with sunlight and that could produce a gamut of luminous colors. Their interesting correspondence is held at the Smithsonian Archives of American Art.

signed lower right, gilt-framed.

Provenance:
Simmons Family Collection, Estate of the Artist
Estate of Raymond Keith Kissee

Illustrated on page 28 of the exhibition catalogue: Lue Osborne and Cordray Simmons, Pamela Mayo, Longwood College, Farmville, Virginia, Oct - Nov, 1980

  • Dimensions: 23 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches
  • Medium: synthetic resin on canvas mounted on board

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

We do not maintain an in-house shipping department, After payment is received you will be contacted by a third party shipper with a shipping quote within 72 hours.

September 16, 2023 10:00 AM CDT
St. Louis, MO, US

Link Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000