Earl Cavis Kerkam Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Earl Cavis Kerkam Art Value Price Guide

Dec. 21, 2024
Work on paper, Earl Cavis Kerkam
Est: $150 - $250
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1891-1965), Girl in Green, 1926, pastel and ink on paper, signed and dated lower right, sheet (unframed): 12"h x 16"w
Clars Auctions
Nov. 23, 2024
Work on paper, Earl Cavis Kerkam
Est: $300 - $500
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1891-1965), Girl in Green, 1926, pastel and ink on paper, signed and dated lower right, sheet (unframed): 12"h x 16"w
Clars Auctions
Jul. 11, 2024
Earl Kerkam, Nude
Est: $500 - $700
Earl Kerkam Nude 1951-53 watercolor and crayon on paper sight: 16.75 h x 11.5 w in (43 x 29 cm) Signed to lower right 'Kerkam (EBK)'. Sold with an invoice from Donald Morris Gallery, Inc., Birmingham, MI and related documents. Provenance: Donald Morris Gallery, Inc., Birmingham, MI | Acquired from the previous in 1977, Collection of Martin and Enid Packard This work will ship from Chicago, Illinois.
Wright
Jul. 10, 2024
Earl Cavis Kerkam, New York, District of Columbia / France (1890-1965), portrait, 1945, oil on board, 13"H x 9 3/4"W (sight), 20"H x 17"W (frame)
Est: $200 - $300
Earl Cavis Kerkam New York, District of Columbia / France, (1890-1965) portrait, 1945 oil on board Signed lower right. Biography from the Archives of askART: Earl Kerkam abandoned a well-paid career as a commercial artist to study painting. He studied at the Rand School, the Art Student's League, and the School of Design, before moving to France to continue his studies. In Paris, he attended the Academies de la Grand Chaumiere and the Academy Colorossi from 1924 to 1929. He was in charge of the American Art Gallery in Paris for a brief period. He exhibited some of his paintings along with Andre Derrain, a member of Henri Matisse's circle, Les Fauves. After the Great Depression began, he returned to America. In the early 1930s he was the art editor for "Progress" magazine. From 1933 to 1943 he was employed with the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, where he worked with Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, among others. During World War II, he created posters for the New York City Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The posters were designed to promote wartime conservation of natural resources. In the late 1940s, Kerkam became involved with The Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, an organization devoted to making the public and the press more aware of the importance and diversity of non-academic art. The Federation developed what was, at the time, a unique method of encouraging museums to include contemporary works of art in their collections. The Federation would find donors to purchase the works, and then approach museums to accept them. As a result, museums across the country began accepting contemporary art. Although he never experienced much fame with the general public, Kerkam garnered the respect of other artists because of his devotion to painting. He worked mostly in still life and figures, particularly in self-portraits, in part because he could seldom afford to hire models. He was very cognizant of the traditions of modern painting, so he returned consistently to the paintings of Paul Cezanne and the cubists for inspiration. However, Kerkam's paintings remained too tied to tradition, both with regard to subject matter and form, to ever be included among any of the abstract expressionists. As a result, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the period. His paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mellon Galleries. He taught briefly at the New York Studio School before his death in 1965. Submitted February 2005 by Gene C. Gerard, teacher of American history at Tarrant County College in suburban Dallas. He wrote: "I am working on a book that looks at the homefront contributions of various Americans during World War I and II. One of the individuals I've researched is the painter Earl Kerkam. As such, I have written this biography". My sources for the biography are as follows: * "The Most Difficult Journey," by Beth Harris, Exhibits USA, for The Poindexter Collections of American Modernist Painting Programming Guide * "1934 - 1942: An Important Time in the Development of American Graphic Design," an M.A. Thesis by Erin K. Malone, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994 * "The School - Its History," the New York Studio School * "The Federation in Retrospect" by Dora Ashton, http://www.fedart.org
Ripley Auctions
Jun. 27, 2024
Earl Kerkam, Two Drawings of Women, 1950s
Est: $600 - $800
(New York/District of Columbia, 1891-1965) Standing Nude, signed lower right "Kerkam", watercolor on paper, 16-5/8 x 11-3/4 in., metal frame, sight 23-3/4 x 18-1/2 x 7/8 in.; Profile of Woman with Curly Hair, signed lower right "Kerkam", ink on paper, sight 13-3/4 x 14 in., gilt wood frame, silk mat, 24-1/2 x 24-1/4 x 1-1/2 in. Provenance: Private Collection
Brunk Auctions
Jun. 27, 2024
Earl Cavis Kerkam, Still Life
Est: $600 - $800
(New York/District of Columbia, 1891-1965) Gladiolas, 1963, signed lower right "Kerkam", oil on canvas board, 15-7/8 x 8-7/8 in.; modern frame, 21-3/4 x 14-3/4 x 1-3/4 in. Provenance: Private Collection
Brunk Auctions
Apr. 24, 2024
EARL CAVIS KERKAM (New York/District of Columbia/France, 1891-1965), Portrait., Oil on board, 26" x 20". Unframed.
Est: $800 - $1,200
EARL CAVIS KERKAM New York/District of Columbia/France, 1891-1965 Portrait. Unsigned. Estate stamped verso.
Eldred's
Mar. 30, 2024
Earl Cavis Kerkam, New York, District of Columbia / France (1890-1965), female portrait, oil on board, 15 1/4"H x 12"W (sight), 22 1/8"H x 18 3/4"W (frame)
Est: $200 - $300
Earl Cavis Kerkam New York, District of Columbia / France, (1890-1965) female portrait oil on board Signed lower right and verso. Biography from the Archives of askART: Earl Kerkam abandoned a well-paid career as a commercial artist to study painting. He studied at the Rand School, the Art Student's League, and the School of Design, before moving to France to continue his studies. In Paris, he attended the Academies de la Grand Chaumiere and the Academy Colorossi from 1924 to 1929. He was in charge of the American Art Gallery in Paris for a brief period. He exhibited some of his paintings along with Andre Derrain, a member of Henri Matisse's circle, Les Fauves. After the Great Depression began, he returned to America. In the early 1930s he was the art editor for "Progress" magazine. From 1933 to 1943 he was employed with the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, where he worked with Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, among others. During World War II, he created posters for the New York City Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The posters were designed to promote wartime conservation of natural resources. In the late 1940s, Kerkam became involved with The Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, an organization devoted to making the public and the press more aware of the importance and diversity of non-academic art. The Federation developed what was, at the time, a unique method of encouraging museums to include contemporary works of art in their collections. The Federation would find donors to purchase the works, and then approach museums to accept them. As a result, museums across the country began accepting contemporary art. Although he never experienced much fame with the general public, Kerkam garnered the respect of other artists because of his devotion to painting. He worked mostly in still life and figures, particularly in self-portraits, in part because he could seldom afford to hire models. He was very cognizant of the traditions of modern painting, so he returned consistently to the paintings of Paul Cezanne and the cubists for inspiration. However, Kerkam's paintings remained too tied to tradition, both with regard to subject matter and form, to ever be included among any of the abstract expressionists. As a result, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the period. His paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mellon Galleries. He taught briefly at the New York Studio School before his death in 1965. Submitted February 2005 by Gene C. Gerard, teacher of American history at Tarrant County College in suburban Dallas. He wrote: "I am working on a book that looks at the homefront contributions of various Americans during World War I and II. One of the individuals I've researched is the painter Earl Kerkam. As such, I have written this biography". My sources for the biography are as follows: * "The Most Difficult Journey," by Beth Harris, Exhibits USA, for The Poindexter Collections of American Modernist Painting Programming Guide * "1934 - 1942: An Important Time in the Development of American Graphic Design," an M.A. Thesis by Erin K. Malone, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994 * "The School - Its History," the New York Studio School * "The Federation in Retrospect" by Dora Ashton, http://www.fedart.org
Ripley Auctions
Mar. 30, 2024
Earl Cavis Kerkam, New York, District of Columbia / France (1890-1965), portrait, oil on canvas, 14"H x 9 1/4"W (sight), 21"H x 16 1/4"W (frame)
Est: $200 - $300
Earl Cavis Kerkam New York, District of Columbia / France, (1890-1965) portrait oil on canvas Signed lower right. Biography from the Archives of askART: Earl Kerkam abandoned a well-paid career as a commercial artist to study painting. He studied at the Rand School, the Art Student's League, and the School of Design, before moving to France to continue his studies. In Paris, he attended the Academies de la Grand Chaumiere and the Academy Colorossi from 1924 to 1929. He was in charge of the American Art Gallery in Paris for a brief period. He exhibited some of his paintings along with Andre Derrain, a member of Henri Matisse's circle, Les Fauves. After the Great Depression began, he returned to America. In the early 1930s he was the art editor for "Progress" magazine. From 1933 to 1943 he was employed with the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, where he worked with Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, among others. During World War II, he created posters for the New York City Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The posters were designed to promote wartime conservation of natural resources. In the late 1940s, Kerkam became involved with The Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, an organization devoted to making the public and the press more aware of the importance and diversity of non-academic art. The Federation developed what was, at the time, a unique method of encouraging museums to include contemporary works of art in their collections. The Federation would find donors to purchase the works, and then approach museums to accept them. As a result, museums across the country began accepting contemporary art. Although he never experienced much fame with the general public, Kerkam garnered the respect of other artists because of his devotion to painting. He worked mostly in still life and figures, particularly in self-portraits, in part because he could seldom afford to hire models. He was very cognizant of the traditions of modern painting, so he returned consistently to the paintings of Paul Cezanne and the cubists for inspiration. However, Kerkam's paintings remained too tied to tradition, both with regard to subject matter and form, to ever be included among any of the abstract expressionists. As a result, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the period. His paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mellon Galleries. He taught briefly at the New York Studio School before his death in 1965. Submitted February 2005 by Gene C. Gerard, teacher of American history at Tarrant County College in suburban Dallas. He wrote: "I am working on a book that looks at the homefront contributions of various Americans during World War I and II. One of the individuals I've researched is the painter Earl Kerkam. As such, I have written this biography". My sources for the biography are as follows: * "The Most Difficult Journey," by Beth Harris, Exhibits USA, for The Poindexter Collections of American Modernist Painting Programming Guide * "1934 - 1942: An Important Time in the Development of American Graphic Design," an M.A. Thesis by Erin K. Malone, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994 * "The School - Its History," the New York Studio School * "The Federation in Retrospect" by Dora Ashton, http://www.fedart.org
Ripley Auctions
Mar. 30, 2024
Earl Cavis Kerkam, New York, District of Columbia / France (1890-1965), female portrait, oil on canvas, 14"H x 9"W (sight), 20 3/4"H x 16"W (frame)
Est: $200 - $300
Earl Cavis Kerkam New York, District of Columbia / France, (1890-1965) female portrait oil on canvas Signed lower right. Biography from the Archives of askART: Earl Kerkam abandoned a well-paid career as a commercial artist to study painting. He studied at the Rand School, the Art Student's League, and the School of Design, before moving to France to continue his studies. In Paris, he attended the Academies de la Grand Chaumiere and the Academy Colorossi from 1924 to 1929. He was in charge of the American Art Gallery in Paris for a brief period. He exhibited some of his paintings along with Andre Derrain, a member of Henri Matisse's circle, Les Fauves. After the Great Depression began, he returned to America. In the early 1930s he was the art editor for "Progress" magazine. From 1933 to 1943 he was employed with the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, where he worked with Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, among others. During World War II, he created posters for the New York City Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The posters were designed to promote wartime conservation of natural resources. In the late 1940s, Kerkam became involved with The Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, an organization devoted to making the public and the press more aware of the importance and diversity of non-academic art. The Federation developed what was, at the time, a unique method of encouraging museums to include contemporary works of art in their collections. The Federation would find donors to purchase the works, and then approach museums to accept them. As a result, museums across the country began accepting contemporary art. Although he never experienced much fame with the general public, Kerkam garnered the respect of other artists because of his devotion to painting. He worked mostly in still life and figures, particularly in self-portraits, in part because he could seldom afford to hire models. He was very cognizant of the traditions of modern painting, so he returned consistently to the paintings of Paul Cezanne and the cubists for inspiration. However, Kerkam's paintings remained too tied to tradition, both with regard to subject matter and form, to ever be included among any of the abstract expressionists. As a result, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the period. His paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mellon Galleries. He taught briefly at the New York Studio School before his death in 1965. Submitted February 2005 by Gene C. Gerard, teacher of American history at Tarrant County College in suburban Dallas. He wrote: "I am working on a book that looks at the homefront contributions of various Americans during World War I and II. One of the individuals I've researched is the painter Earl Kerkam. As such, I have written this biography". My sources for the biography are as follows: * "The Most Difficult Journey," by Beth Harris, Exhibits USA, for The Poindexter Collections of American Modernist Painting Programming Guide * "1934 - 1942: An Important Time in the Development of American Graphic Design," an M.A. Thesis by Erin K. Malone, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994 * "The School - Its History," the New York Studio School * "The Federation in Retrospect" by Dora Ashton, http://www.fedart.org
Ripley Auctions
Mar. 17, 2024
Earl Cavis Kerkam Nude Woman Acrylic
Est: $600 - $800
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1891-1965), Nude Woman on Pink Ground, Acrylic on Board, 1952, pencil signed, inscribed "Paris", and dated upper right, giltwood frame. Image: 17.5" H x 13.5" W; frame: 29" H x 24.5" W. Keywords: Paintings, Figural, Nude female figure, Mid-Century Modern, MCM, Works on paper, Abstract Expressionist, New York Figurative Expressionism
Auctions at Showplace
Oct. 20, 2023
Earl Kerkam
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
(New York/District Of Columbia/France, 1891-1965) Self Portrait, 1958, not apparently signed, oil on board, 14 x 12-1/2 in.; fine gilt wood frame, possibly by Robert Kulicke, artist and frame maker, 27-3/8 x 22-7/8 x 1 in. Provenance: James Goodman Gallery, Inc., New York, New York (labels reattached verso); John Raimondi Gallery, Florida (labels attached verso); Private Collection
Brunk Auctions
Oct. 11, 2023
Earl Kerkam
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
American, 1891-1965 Untitled, circa 1960 Initialed EK (lr) Oil on canvasboard 24 x 20 in. (61 x 50.8 cm) Provenance Sale, Doyle, New York, Apr. 17, 2012, lot 46 Private collection, NJ (Framed dimensions: 31 x 26 1/2 x 1 inches) Frame rubbing. Some scattered flecks of brown material (possibly old backing paper) along upper center, with a corresponding horizontal scuff. A small spot of loss at center left in blue pigment. No signs of restoration under UV inspection.
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Sep. 12, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam
Est: $800 - $1,200
Earl Cavis Kerkam American, 1891-1965 Portrait of a Young Girl Signed Kerkam (lr) Oil on canvasboard 13 1/8 x 9 inches (33.3 x 22.9 cm) Provenance: Weschler's Auctioneers & Appraisers, Dec. 1, 2007, lot 673 Private collection, New Jersey (Framed dimensions: 16 3/8 x 12 1/4 x 1 1/8 inches) Frame rubbing with scattered edge wear and small losses to upper left, lower left and lower right corners. A few thin lines of paint separation at center left. No evidence of restoration under UV inspection.
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Sep. 12, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Earl Cavis Kerkam American 1891-1965 Torso, 1955 Signed and dated KERKAM/55 (lr) Oil on Masonite 32 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches (82.5 x 49.5 cm) Provenance: Margaret Brown Gallery, Boston Doyle, New York, Oct. 10, 2007, lot 4046 Private collection, New Jersey (Frame dimensions: 38 x 25 1/8 inches) Could use a light cleaning; 1 cm hairline scratch at lower left corner; a tiny piece of paper (?) is adhered to the surface at upper left center; no apparent restoration.
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Jul. 01, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam, New York, District of Columbia / France (1890-1965), portrait, 1945, oil on board, 13"H x 9 3/4"W (sight), 20"H x 17"W (frame)
Est: $400 - $600
Earl Cavis Kerkam New York, District of Columbia / France, (1890-1965) portrait, 1945 oil on board Signed lower right. Biography from the Archives of askART: Earl Kerkam abandoned a well-paid career as a commercial artist to study painting. He studied at the Rand School, the Art Student's League, and the School of Design, before moving to France to continue his studies. In Paris, he attended the Academies de la Grand Chaumiere and the Academy Colorossi from 1924 to 1929. He was in charge of the American Art Gallery in Paris for a brief period. He exhibited some of his paintings along with Andre Derrain, a member of Henri Matisse's circle, Les Fauves. After the Great Depression began, he returned to America. In the early 1930s he was the art editor for "Progress" magazine. From 1933 to 1943 he was employed with the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, where he worked with Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, among others. During World War II, he created posters for the New York City Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The posters were designed to promote wartime conservation of natural resources. In the late 1940s, Kerkam became involved with The Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, an organization devoted to making the public and the press more aware of the importance and diversity of non-academic art. The Federation developed what was, at the time, a unique method of encouraging museums to include contemporary works of art in their collections. The Federation would find donors to purchase the works, and then approach museums to accept them. As a result, museums across the country began accepting contemporary art. Although he never experienced much fame with the general public, Kerkam garnered the respect of other artists because of his devotion to painting. He worked mostly in still life and figures, particularly in self-portraits, in part because he could seldom afford to hire models. He was very cognizant of the traditions of modern painting, so he returned consistently to the paintings of Paul Cezanne and the cubists for inspiration. However, Kerkam's paintings remained too tied to tradition, both with regard to subject matter and form, to ever be included among any of the abstract expressionists. As a result, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the period. His paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mellon Galleries. He taught briefly at the New York Studio School before his death in 1965. Submitted February 2005 by Gene C. Gerard, teacher of American history at Tarrant County College in suburban Dallas. He wrote: "I am working on a book that looks at the homefront contributions of various Americans during World War I and II. One of the individuals I've researched is the painter Earl Kerkam. As such, I have written this biography". My sources for the biography are as follows: * "The Most Difficult Journey," by Beth Harris, Exhibits USA, for The Poindexter Collections of American Modernist Painting Programming Guide * "1934 - 1942: An Important Time in the Development of American Graphic Design," an M.A. Thesis by Erin K. Malone, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994 * "The School - Its History," the New York Studio School * "The Federation in Retrospect" by Dora Ashton, http://www.fedart.org
Ripley Auctions
Jul. 01, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam, New York, District of Columbia / France (1890-1965), portrait, oil on canvas, 14"H x 9 1/4"W (sight), 21"H x 16 1/4"W (frame)
Est: $400 - $600
Earl Cavis Kerkam New York, District of Columbia / France, (1890-1965) portrait oil on canvas Signed lower right. Biography from the Archives of askART: Earl Kerkam abandoned a well-paid career as a commercial artist to study painting. He studied at the Rand School, the Art Student's League, and the School of Design, before moving to France to continue his studies. In Paris, he attended the Academies de la Grand Chaumiere and the Academy Colorossi from 1924 to 1929. He was in charge of the American Art Gallery in Paris for a brief period. He exhibited some of his paintings along with Andre Derrain, a member of Henri Matisse's circle, Les Fauves. After the Great Depression began, he returned to America. In the early 1930s he was the art editor for "Progress" magazine. From 1933 to 1943 he was employed with the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, where he worked with Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, among others. During World War II, he created posters for the New York City Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The posters were designed to promote wartime conservation of natural resources. In the late 1940s, Kerkam became involved with The Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, an organization devoted to making the public and the press more aware of the importance and diversity of non-academic art. The Federation developed what was, at the time, a unique method of encouraging museums to include contemporary works of art in their collections. The Federation would find donors to purchase the works, and then approach museums to accept them. As a result, museums across the country began accepting contemporary art. Although he never experienced much fame with the general public, Kerkam garnered the respect of other artists because of his devotion to painting. He worked mostly in still life and figures, particularly in self-portraits, in part because he could seldom afford to hire models. He was very cognizant of the traditions of modern painting, so he returned consistently to the paintings of Paul Cezanne and the cubists for inspiration. However, Kerkam's paintings remained too tied to tradition, both with regard to subject matter and form, to ever be included among any of the abstract expressionists. As a result, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the period. His paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mellon Galleries. He taught briefly at the New York Studio School before his death in 1965. Submitted February 2005 by Gene C. Gerard, teacher of American history at Tarrant County College in suburban Dallas. He wrote: "I am working on a book that looks at the homefront contributions of various Americans during World War I and II. One of the individuals I've researched is the painter Earl Kerkam. As such, I have written this biography". My sources for the biography are as follows: * "The Most Difficult Journey," by Beth Harris, Exhibits USA, for The Poindexter Collections of American Modernist Painting Programming Guide * "1934 - 1942: An Important Time in the Development of American Graphic Design," an M.A. Thesis by Erin K. Malone, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994 * "The School - Its History," the New York Studio School * "The Federation in Retrospect" by Dora Ashton, http://www.fedart.org
Ripley Auctions
Jul. 01, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam, New York, District of Columbia / France (1890-1965), female portrait, oil on board, 15 1/4"H x 12"W (sight), 22 1/8"H x 18 3/4"W (frame)
Est: $400 - $600
Earl Cavis Kerkam New York, District of Columbia / France, (1890-1965) female portrait oil on board Signed lower right and verso. Biography from the Archives of askART: Earl Kerkam abandoned a well-paid career as a commercial artist to study painting. He studied at the Rand School, the Art Student's League, and the School of Design, before moving to France to continue his studies. In Paris, he attended the Academies de la Grand Chaumiere and the Academy Colorossi from 1924 to 1929. He was in charge of the American Art Gallery in Paris for a brief period. He exhibited some of his paintings along with Andre Derrain, a member of Henri Matisse's circle, Les Fauves. After the Great Depression began, he returned to America. In the early 1930s he was the art editor for "Progress" magazine. From 1933 to 1943 he was employed with the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, where he worked with Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, among others. During World War II, he created posters for the New York City Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The posters were designed to promote wartime conservation of natural resources. In the late 1940s, Kerkam became involved with The Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, an organization devoted to making the public and the press more aware of the importance and diversity of non-academic art. The Federation developed what was, at the time, a unique method of encouraging museums to include contemporary works of art in their collections. The Federation would find donors to purchase the works, and then approach museums to accept them. As a result, museums across the country began accepting contemporary art. Although he never experienced much fame with the general public, Kerkam garnered the respect of other artists because of his devotion to painting. He worked mostly in still life and figures, particularly in self-portraits, in part because he could seldom afford to hire models. He was very cognizant of the traditions of modern painting, so he returned consistently to the paintings of Paul Cezanne and the cubists for inspiration. However, Kerkam's paintings remained too tied to tradition, both with regard to subject matter and form, to ever be included among any of the abstract expressionists. As a result, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the period. His paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mellon Galleries. He taught briefly at the New York Studio School before his death in 1965. Submitted February 2005 by Gene C. Gerard, teacher of American history at Tarrant County College in suburban Dallas. He wrote: "I am working on a book that looks at the homefront contributions of various Americans during World War I and II. One of the individuals I've researched is the painter Earl Kerkam. As such, I have written this biography". My sources for the biography are as follows: * "The Most Difficult Journey," by Beth Harris, Exhibits USA, for The Poindexter Collections of American Modernist Painting Programming Guide * "1934 - 1942: An Important Time in the Development of American Graphic Design," an M.A. Thesis by Erin K. Malone, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994 * "The School - Its History," the New York Studio School * "The Federation in Retrospect" by Dora Ashton, http://www.fedart.org
Ripley Auctions
Apr. 29, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam, New York, District of Columbia / France (1890-1965), portrait, oil on canvas, 14"H x 9 1/4"W (sight), 21"H x 16 1/4"W (frame)
Est: $700 - $900
Earl Cavis Kerkam New York, District of Columbia / France, (1890-1965) portrait oil on canvas Signed lower right. Biography from the Archives of askART: Earl Kerkam abandoned a well-paid career as a commercial artist to study painting. He studied at the Rand School, the Art Student's League, and the School of Design, before moving to France to continue his studies. In Paris, he attended the Academies de la Grand Chaumiere and the Academy Colorossi from 1924 to 1929. He was in charge of the American Art Gallery in Paris for a brief period. He exhibited some of his paintings along with Andre Derrain, a member of Henri Matisse's circle, Les Fauves. After the Great Depression began, he returned to America. In the early 1930s he was the art editor for "Progress" magazine. From 1933 to 1943 he was employed with the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, where he worked with Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, among others. During World War II, he created posters for the New York City Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The posters were designed to promote wartime conservation of natural resources. In the late 1940s, Kerkam became involved with The Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, an organization devoted to making the public and the press more aware of the importance and diversity of non-academic art. The Federation developed what was, at the time, a unique method of encouraging museums to include contemporary works of art in their collections. The Federation would find donors to purchase the works, and then approach museums to accept them. As a result, museums across the country began accepting contemporary art. Although he never experienced much fame with the general public, Kerkam garnered the respect of other artists because of his devotion to painting. He worked mostly in still life and figures, particularly in self-portraits, in part because he could seldom afford to hire models. He was very cognizant of the traditions of modern painting, so he returned consistently to the paintings of Paul Cezanne and the cubists for inspiration. However, Kerkam's paintings remained too tied to tradition, both with regard to subject matter and form, to ever be included among any of the abstract expressionists. As a result, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the period. His paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mellon Galleries. He taught briefly at the New York Studio School before his death in 1965. Submitted February 2005 by Gene C. Gerard, teacher of American history at Tarrant County College in suburban Dallas. He wrote: "I am working on a book that looks at the homefront contributions of various Americans during World War I and II. One of the individuals I've researched is the painter Earl Kerkam. As such, I have written this biography". My sources for the biography are as follows: * "The Most Difficult Journey," by Beth Harris, Exhibits USA, for The Poindexter Collections of American Modernist Painting Programming Guide * "1934 - 1942: An Important Time in the Development of American Graphic Design," an M.A. Thesis by Erin K. Malone, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994 * "The School - Its History," the New York Studio School * "The Federation in Retrospect" by Dora Ashton, http://www.fedart.org
Ripley Auctions
Apr. 29, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam, New York, District of Columbia / France (1890-1965), portrait, 1945, oil on board, 13"H x 9 3/4"W (sight), 20"H x 17"W (frame)
Est: $700 - $900
Earl Cavis Kerkam New York, District of Columbia / France, (1890-1965) portrait, 1945 oil on board Signed lower right. Biography from the Archives of askART: Earl Kerkam abandoned a well-paid career as a commercial artist to study painting. He studied at the Rand School, the Art Student's League, and the School of Design, before moving to France to continue his studies. In Paris, he attended the Academies de la Grand Chaumiere and the Academy Colorossi from 1924 to 1929. He was in charge of the American Art Gallery in Paris for a brief period. He exhibited some of his paintings along with Andre Derrain, a member of Henri Matisse's circle, Les Fauves. After the Great Depression began, he returned to America. In the early 1930s he was the art editor for "Progress" magazine. From 1933 to 1943 he was employed with the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, where he worked with Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, among others. During World War II, he created posters for the New York City Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The posters were designed to promote wartime conservation of natural resources. In the late 1940s, Kerkam became involved with The Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, an organization devoted to making the public and the press more aware of the importance and diversity of non-academic art. The Federation developed what was, at the time, a unique method of encouraging museums to include contemporary works of art in their collections. The Federation would find donors to purchase the works, and then approach museums to accept them. As a result, museums across the country began accepting contemporary art. Although he never experienced much fame with the general public, Kerkam garnered the respect of other artists because of his devotion to painting. He worked mostly in still life and figures, particularly in self-portraits, in part because he could seldom afford to hire models. He was very cognizant of the traditions of modern painting, so he returned consistently to the paintings of Paul Cezanne and the cubists for inspiration. However, Kerkam's paintings remained too tied to tradition, both with regard to subject matter and form, to ever be included among any of the abstract expressionists. As a result, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the period. His paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mellon Galleries. He taught briefly at the New York Studio School before his death in 1965. Submitted February 2005 by Gene C. Gerard, teacher of American history at Tarrant County College in suburban Dallas. He wrote: "I am working on a book that looks at the homefront contributions of various Americans during World War I and II. One of the individuals I've researched is the painter Earl Kerkam. As such, I have written this biography". My sources for the biography are as follows: * "The Most Difficult Journey," by Beth Harris, Exhibits USA, for The Poindexter Collections of American Modernist Painting Programming Guide * "1934 - 1942: An Important Time in the Development of American Graphic Design," an M.A. Thesis by Erin K. Malone, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994 * "The School - Its History," the New York Studio School * "The Federation in Retrospect" by Dora Ashton, http://www.fedart.org
Ripley Auctions
Apr. 29, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam, New York, District of Columbia / France (1890-1965), female portrait, oil on board, 15 1/4"H x 12"W (sight), 22 1/8"H x 18 3/4"W (frame)
Est: $700 - $900
Earl Cavis Kerkam New York, District of Columbia / France, (1890-1965) female portrait oil on board Signed lower right and verso. Biography from the Archives of askART: Earl Kerkam abandoned a well-paid career as a commercial artist to study painting. He studied at the Rand School, the Art Student's League, and the School of Design, before moving to France to continue his studies. In Paris, he attended the Academies de la Grand Chaumiere and the Academy Colorossi from 1924 to 1929. He was in charge of the American Art Gallery in Paris for a brief period. He exhibited some of his paintings along with Andre Derrain, a member of Henri Matisse's circle, Les Fauves. After the Great Depression began, he returned to America. In the early 1930s he was the art editor for "Progress" magazine. From 1933 to 1943 he was employed with the Easel Project of the Works Progress Administration, where he worked with Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, among others. During World War II, he created posters for the New York City Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. The posters were designed to promote wartime conservation of natural resources. In the late 1940s, Kerkam became involved with The Federation of Modern Painters and Sculptors, an organization devoted to making the public and the press more aware of the importance and diversity of non-academic art. The Federation developed what was, at the time, a unique method of encouraging museums to include contemporary works of art in their collections. The Federation would find donors to purchase the works, and then approach museums to accept them. As a result, museums across the country began accepting contemporary art. Although he never experienced much fame with the general public, Kerkam garnered the respect of other artists because of his devotion to painting. He worked mostly in still life and figures, particularly in self-portraits, in part because he could seldom afford to hire models. He was very cognizant of the traditions of modern painting, so he returned consistently to the paintings of Paul Cezanne and the cubists for inspiration. However, Kerkam's paintings remained too tied to tradition, both with regard to subject matter and form, to ever be included among any of the abstract expressionists. As a result, he is rarely mentioned in discussions of the period. His paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, the Corcoran Art Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Mellon Galleries. He taught briefly at the New York Studio School before his death in 1965. Submitted February 2005 by Gene C. Gerard, teacher of American history at Tarrant County College in suburban Dallas. He wrote: "I am working on a book that looks at the homefront contributions of various Americans during World War I and II. One of the individuals I've researched is the painter Earl Kerkam. As such, I have written this biography". My sources for the biography are as follows: * "The Most Difficult Journey," by Beth Harris, Exhibits USA, for The Poindexter Collections of American Modernist Painting Programming Guide * "1934 - 1942: An Important Time in the Development of American Graphic Design," an M.A. Thesis by Erin K. Malone, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1994 * "The School - Its History," the New York Studio School * "The Federation in Retrospect" by Dora Ashton, http://www.fedart.org
Ripley Auctions
Feb. 28, 2023
Earl Kerkam, (1891-1965), Still life with a vase and fruit, Oil on board, 12" H x 17.25" W
Est: $300 - $500
Earl Kerkam (1891-1965) Still life with a vase and fruit Oil on board Signed lower left: Kerkam
John Moran Auctioneers
Feb. 09, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Watercolor on paper 17-1/2 x 14
Est: $500 - $700
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Watercolor on paper 17-1/2 x 14-1/2 inches (44.5 x 36.8 cm) (sheet) Signed upper right: Kerkam HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Feb. 09, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Nude Watercolor on paper 9 x 11-5/8 inch
Est: $500 - $700
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Nude Watercolor on paper 9 x 11-5/8 inches (22.9 x 29.5 cm) (sheet) Signed upper right: Kerkam Property from a Distinguished New York Estate HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Feb. 09, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Ink and pastel on paper 13-3/4
Est: $500 - $700
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Ink and pastel on paper 13-3/4 x 11-1/4 inches (34.9 x 28.6 cm) (sheet) Signed lower left: Kerkam Property from a Distinguished New York Estate HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Feb. 09, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Seated Figure Watercolor on paper 18 x 1
Est: $500 - $700
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Seated Figure Watercolor on paper 18 x 14-1/4 inches (45.7 x 36.2 cm) (sheet) Signed lower right: Kerkam Property from a Distinguished New York Estate HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Feb. 09, 2023
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Ink on paper 12-7/8 x 10 inches
Est: $500 - $700
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Ink on paper 12-7/8 x 10 inches (32.7 x 25.4 cm) (sheet) Signed lower right: Kerham HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Dec. 15, 2022
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Ink on paper 12-7/8 x 10 inches
Est: $600 - $800
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Ink on paper 12-7/8 x 10 inches (32.7 x 25.4 cm) (sheet) Signed lower right: Kerham HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Dec. 15, 2022
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Ink and pastel on paper 13-3/4
Est: $600 - $800
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Ink and pastel on paper 13-3/4 x 11-1/4 inches (34.9 x 28.6 cm) (sheet) Signed lower left: Kerkam Property from a Distinguished New York Estate HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Dec. 15, 2022
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Watercolor on paper 17-1/2 x 14
Est: $600 - $800
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Portrait Watercolor on paper 17-1/2 x 14-1/2 inches (44.5 x 36.8 cm) (sheet) Signed upper right: Kerkam HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Dec. 15, 2022
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Seated Figure Watercolor on paper 18 x 1
Est: $600 - $800
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Seated Figure Watercolor on paper 18 x 14-1/4 inches (45.7 x 36.2 cm) (sheet) Signed lower right: Kerkam Property from a Distinguished New York Estate HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Dec. 15, 2022
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Nude Watercolor on paper 9 x 11-5/8 inch
Est: $600 - $800
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Nude Watercolor on paper 9 x 11-5/8 inches (22.9 x 29.5 cm) (sheet) Signed upper right: Kerkam Property from a Distinguished New York Estate HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Dec. 15, 2022
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Stnading Figure, 1953 Ink and pastel on
Est: $600 - $800
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Stnading Figure, 1953 Ink and pastel on paper 17-1/4 x 14 inches (43.8 x 35.6 cm) (sheet) Signed and dated lower right: Kerkam / 53 HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Dec. 15, 2022
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Untitled Pastel on and ink on paper laid
Est: $600 - $800
Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1890-1965) Untitled Pastel on and ink on paper laid on board 13-1/2 x 10-1/4 inches (34.3 x 26.0 cm) (sheet) Signed lower right: Kerkam HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Apr. 21, 2022
Earl Cavis Kerkam Figural Abstract Painting
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
(New York/District of Columbia, 1891-1965) Head, 1962, unsigned, oil on paperboard, 18-3/4 x 14-3/4 in.; modern silver gilt wood frame, 20-3/8 x 16-3/8 in. Provenance: World House Galleries, Corp., New York, New York (label verso); Zabriskie Gallery, New York, New York, #39 EK 32 (label verso); Sheridan Wood Nicholson Revocable Trust; Sold to Benefit Environmental Charitable Causes
Brunk Auctions
Sep. 21, 2021
EARL KERKAM (1891-1965) Three figure drawings.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
EARL KERKAM (1891-1965) Three figure drawings. Standing Nude, brush and ink and color pastels on cream wove paper. 447x360 mm; 17 1/2x14 1/4 inches. Signed in crayon, lower left recto * Standing Nude, brush and ink on tan wove paper. 370x270 mm; 14 5/8x10 5/8 inches * Seated Nude, brush and ink and color pastels on tan wove paper. 405x340 mm; 16x13 1/2 inches. Each circa 1950.
Swann Auction Galleries
Sep. 10, 2021
EARL CAVIS KERKAM (AMERICAN, 1891–1965) OIL ON CANVAS, H 30.25" W 22.75" SEATED WOMAN
Est: $400 - $600
Signed in the upper right corner.
DuMouchelles
Jun. 30, 2021
EARL KERKAM Figure Study.
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
EARL KERKAM Figure Study. Gouache and pastel on tan wove paper, circa 1950. 460x370 mm; 18 1/8x14 5/8 inches. Signed in ball-point pen and ink, lower right recto. Ex-collection private collection, New Jersey.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jun. 30, 2021
EARL KERKAM Seated Nude.
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
EARL KERKAM Seated Nude. Watercolor and gouache on paper, circa 1950. 425x312 mm; 17x12 1/2 inches. Signed in ink, upper right recto. Ex-collection private collection, Chicago.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jun. 11, 2021
EARL CAVIS KERKAM (AMERICAN, 1891–1965) OIL ON CANVAS, H 30.25" W 22.75" SEATED WOMAN
Est: $600 - $800
EARL CAVIS KERKAM (AMERICAN, 1891–1965) OIL ON CANVAS, H 30.25" W 22.75" SEATED WOMANSigned in the upper right corner.
DuMouchelles
Jan. 30, 2021
Earl Kerkam Two Sided Abstract Expressionism Piece
Est: $400 - $800
Earl Kerkam Two Sided Abstract Expressionism Piece. Signed. Lithographs. Edition 49/250 (i) Measures 12.5 inches high x 9.5 inches wide in a .5 inch frame.
Joshua Kodner
Jan. 03, 2021
KERKAM, EARL CAVIS
Est: CHF800 - CHF1,200
(1891 USA 1965) Blumenstillleben. Öl auf Hartfaserplatte. Oben rechts signiert. 50,5x42,5 cm.
Schuler Auktionen
Dec. 11, 2020
KERKAM, EARL CAVIS
Est: CHF800 - CHF1,200
(1891 USA 1965) Blumenstillleben. Öl auf Hartfaserplatte. Oben rechts signiert. 50,5x42,5 cm.
Schuler Auktionen
Sep. 17, 2020
EARL KERKAM Heroic Head.
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
EARL KERKAM Heroic Head. Gouache on light tan wove paper, 1952. 342x360 mm; 13 1/4x14 inches. Signed in pencil, lower right recto. Ex-collection Bill Bass Gallery, Chicago, with the label; sold Christie's, New York, January 12, 2010, sale 2286, lot 187; private collection, Chicago. Exhibited "Earl Kerkam Exhibition," Kresge Art Gallery, Michigan State University, East Lansing, March 31-April 22, 1973, number 73.
Swann Auction Galleries
Mar. 27, 2020
Earl Kerkam, painting
Est: $300 - $500
Earl Kerkam (American, 1890-1965), "Heroic Head", 1952, gouache on buff paper, signed "Kerkam" at lower right, gallery and exhibition labels verso, 13.25"h x 13.75"w (sight), 24.5"h x 19.5"w (frame)
Millea Bros Ltd
Dec. 18, 2019
Earl Kerkam American, 1891-1965 (i) Seated Nude (ii) Woman in Profile
Est: $800 - $1,200
Earl Kerkam American, 1891-1965 (i) Seated Nude Signed Kerkam (lr) Pastel and gouache on paper 17 3/4 x 14 1/4 inches (ii) Woman in Profile Signed Kerkam (lr) Ink on paper 14 1/8 x 14 1/8 inches Provenance: Vanderwoud Tananbaum Gallery, New York C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Nov. 19, 2019
Earl Kerkam American, 1891-1965 (i) Head of A Woman (ii) Nudes (a double sided work)
Est: $600 - $900
Earl Kerkam American, 1891-1965 (i) Head of A Woman Signed Kerkam (lr) Pastel and gouache on paper 14 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches (ii) Nudes (a double sided work) Signed Kerkam (lr) Pastel and gouache on paper 21 1/4 x 14 1/2 inches Provenance: Vanderwoud Tananbaum Gallery, NY Private collection, NY C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers
Nov. 19, 2019
Earl Kerkam American, 1891-1965 Portrait Head Oil on canvasboard 20 x 16 inches Provenance: Vanderwoud Tan...
Est: $700 - $900
Earl Kerkam American, 1891-1965 Portrait Head Oil on canvasboard 20 x 16 inches Provenance: Vanderwoud Tananbaum Gallery, NY Private collection, NY C
DOYLE Auctioneers & Appraisers