Joseph Paul Vorst Sold at Auction Prices

Portrait painter, Wall painter, Lithographer, Illustrator, b. 1897 - d. 1947

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  • 2 Joseph Vorst (American 1897-1947) lithographs
    Feb. 08, 2025

    2 Joseph Vorst (American 1897-1947) lithographs

    Est: $700 - $900

    Plowed Field & Winter Evening  lithographs, both signed in pencil, Winter is numbered 43/50 in pencil.           8 3/8 x 11 1/2''; 10 x 14 3/4''

    Rachel Davis Fine Arts
  • JOSEPH VORST (1897-1947) PENCIL SIGNED LITHOGRAPH
    Dec. 07, 2024

    JOSEPH VORST (1897-1947) PENCIL SIGNED LITHOGRAPH

    Est: $400 - $500

    Joseph Vorst (1897-1947) Ironing 1938 The scarce lithograph is signed and dated by the artist in pencil below the image lower right, the artist's initials in the plate lower left corner. Image measures 11.75 x 8.75, sheet is 13.75 x 10.75, and frame is 16.5 x 12.5 inches. Without proof of exemption, be aware that internet sales tax applies to all Internet transactions and local sales tax may apply to local pick-up transactions. We happily provide seamless in-house packing and shipping services on nearly everything we sell. Until further notice, we cannot offer international shipping in-house.

    Dirk Soulis Auctions
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Woman in River, oil on board
    Dec. 07, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Woman in River, oil on board

    Est: $2,000 - $3,000

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Woman in River oil on board signed lower right, stamped, unframed

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Polynesian Scene, oil on board
    Dec. 07, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Polynesian Scene, oil on board

    Est: $1,400 - $1,800

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Polynesian Scene oil on board unsigned Provenance: Estate of the Artist

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Holstein, 1929, watercolor on paper
    Dec. 07, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Holstein, 1929, watercolor on paper

    Est: $400 - $600

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Holstein, 1929 watercolor on paper signed and dated lower left, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Rusdorfihost, 1929, watercolor on paper
    Dec. 07, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Rusdorfihost, 1929, watercolor on paper

    Est: $400 - $600

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Rusdorfihost, 1929 watercolor on paper signed and dated lower left, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Sharecroppers, colored pencil on paper
    Dec. 07, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Sharecroppers, colored pencil on paper

    Est: $800 - $1,200

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Sharecroppers colored pencil on paper signed lower right, in a carved giltwood frame

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Drifters, lithograph
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Drifters, lithograph

    Est: $750 - $1,000

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Drifters lithograph unsigned, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Last Corn, lithograph
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Last Corn, lithograph

    Est: $500 - $700

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Last Corn lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Backyard, lithograph
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Backyard, lithograph

    Est: $600 - $800

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Backyard lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Wild Gooseberries, lithograph
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Wild Gooseberries, lithograph

    Est: $400 - $600

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Wild Gooseberries lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Arkansas Farmer, lithograph
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Arkansas Farmer, lithograph

    Est: $600 - $800

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Arkansas Farmer lithograph signed in pencil, and titled on the reverse, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), One of Their Pets at the Spring, lithograph, ed. 45/50
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), One of Their Pets at the Spring, lithograph, ed. 45/50

    Est: $400 - $600

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) One of Their Pets at the Spring lithograph, ed. 45/50 signed and numbered in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Conference, lithograph
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Conference, lithograph

    Est: $500 - $700

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Conference lithograph signed in felt tip pen, and titled on the reverse, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Mules, lithograph
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Mules, lithograph

    Est: $400 - $600

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Mules lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), On the Way Home, lithograph
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), On the Way Home, lithograph

    Est: $400 - $600

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) On the Way Home lithograph signed in pencil, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Vorst, Missouri (1897-1947), Ghost Figures, oil on canvas
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Joseph Vorst, Missouri (1897-1947), Ghost Figures, oil on canvas

    Est: $4,000 - $6,000

    Joseph Vorst Missouri, (1897-1947) Ghost Figures oil on canvas signed lower left, stamped, framed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • 2 Joseph Vorst (American 1897-1947) lithographs
    Oct. 19, 2024

    2 Joseph Vorst (American 1897-1947) lithographs

    Est: $700 - $900

    Plowed Field & Winter Evening  lithographs, both signed in pencil, Winter is numbered 43/50 in pencil.           8 3/8 x 11 1/2''; 10 x 14 3/4''

    Rachel Davis Fine Arts
  • JOSEPH VORST (1897-1947) PENCIL SIGNED LITHOGRAPH
    Sep. 21, 2024

    JOSEPH VORST (1897-1947) PENCIL SIGNED LITHOGRAPH

    Est: $600 - $750

    Joseph Vorst (1897-1947) Ironing 1938 The scarce lithograph is signed and dated by the artist in pencil below the image lower right, the artist's initials in the plate lower left corner. Image measures 11.75 x 8.75, sheet is 13.75 x 10.75, and frame is 16.5 x 12.5 inches. Without proof of exemption, be aware that internet sales tax applies to all Internet transactions and local sales tax may apply to local pick-up transactions. We happily provide seamless in-house packing and shipping services on nearly everything we sell. Until further notice, we cannot offer international shipping in-house.

    Dirk Soulis Auctions
  • JOSEPH VORST (1897-1947) RARE PENCIL SIGNED LITHOGRAPH
    Sep. 21, 2024

    JOSEPH VORST (1897-1947) RARE PENCIL SIGNED LITHOGRAPH

    Est: $700 - $900

    Joseph Vorst (1897-1947) Planting Tobacco 1937 The rare lithograph is signed and dated by the artist in pencil lower right below the image. One other example of this print having been offered for sale was found. That example was inscribed to Thomas Hart Benton and the title listed by the seller as Planting Tobacco. Image measures 9.25 x 6.5, sheet is 13.75 x 9.75, and frame is 16.5 x 13 inches. Without proof of exemption, be aware that internet sales tax applies to all Internet transactions and local sales tax may apply to local pick-up transactions. We happily provide seamless in-house packing and shipping services on nearly everything we sell. Until further notice, we cannot offer international shipping in-house.

    Dirk Soulis Auctions
  • JOSEPH VORST (1897-1947) RARE PENCIL SIGNED LITHOGRAPH
    Sep. 21, 2024

    JOSEPH VORST (1897-1947) RARE PENCIL SIGNED LITHOGRAPH

    Est: $1,000 - $1,500

    Joseph Vorst (1897-1947) 1938 The very rare lithograph numbered 14 from an edition of only 28 prints is signed and dated by the artist in pencil lower right, the edition in pencil below the image lower left near the artist's initials in the plate lower left corner. No other record could be found of this rare image having been offered for sale before now. Image measures 11.75 x 8.5, sheet is 13.75 x 10.5, and frame is 20.5 x 16.5 inches. Without proof of exemption, be aware that internet sales tax applies to all Internet transactions and local sales tax may apply to local pick-up transactions. We happily provide seamless in-house packing and shipping services on nearly everything we sell. Until further notice, we cannot offer international shipping in-house.

    Dirk Soulis Auctions
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Plowing the Field, lithograph
    Aug. 24, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Plowing the Field, lithograph

    Est: $400 - $600

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Plowing the Field lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, framed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Plowing the Field, lithograph
    Aug. 24, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Plowing the Field, lithograph

    Est: $400 - $600

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Plowing the Field lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, framed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Good Lord Give Us Peace, lithograph
    Jun. 01, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Good Lord Give Us Peace, lithograph

    Est: $800 - $1,000

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Good Lord Give Us Peace lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Hillfolks, lithograph
    Jun. 01, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Hillfolks, lithograph

    Est: $500 - $700

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Hillfolks lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Lullaby, lithograph
    Jun. 01, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Lullaby, lithograph

    Est: $500 - $700

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Lullaby lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Evening, lithograph
    Jun. 01, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Evening, lithograph

    Est: $700 - $900

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Evening lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Cool Drink, lithograph
    Jun. 01, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Cool Drink, lithograph

    Est: $400 - $600

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Cool Drink lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), War Council, oil on canvas
    Jun. 01, 2024

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), War Council, oil on canvas

    Est: $5,000 - $7,000

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) War Council oil on canvas signed lower right, framed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Lullaby, lithograph
    Dec. 02, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Lullaby, lithograph

    Est: $700 - $900

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Lullaby lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Backyard, lithograph
    Dec. 02, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Backyard, lithograph

    Est: $800 - $1,000

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Backyard lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Young America, lithograph, ed. 49/50
    Dec. 02, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Young America, lithograph, ed. 49/50

    Est: $600 - $800

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Young America lithograph, ed. 49/50 signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Evening, lithograph
    Dec. 02, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Evening, lithograph

    Est: $800 - $1,200

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Evening lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Missouri Annual, lithograph
    Dec. 02, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Missouri Annual, lithograph

    Est: $700 - $1,000

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Missouri Annual lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

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  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Conference, lithograph
    Dec. 02, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Conference, lithograph

    Est: $600 - $900

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Conference lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, unframed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • JOSEPH PAUL VORST (GERMAN-AMERICAN 1887-1947)
    Oct. 21, 2023

    JOSEPH PAUL VORST (GERMAN-AMERICAN 1887-1947)

    Est: $2,000 - $3,000

    JOSEPH PAUL VORST (GERMAN-AMERICAN 1887-1947) Workers oil on canvas 89 x 102 cm (35 x 40 1/8 in.), unframed signed lower right PROVENANCE Private Collection, New York City, NY CONDITION The painting is in fair condition, scuffing, rubbing and paint loss around the perimeter. A 1.5 inch puncture through one of the legs, scattered paint loss to the other leg. Canvas is detached from the upper left edge. A small puncture to the top right corner. UV light inspection showed no signs of retouching. N.B. All lots are sold in as-is condition at the time of sale. Please note that any condition statement regarding works of art is given as a courtesy to our clients in order to assist them in assessing the condition. The report is a genuine opinion held by Shapiro Auctions and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report or a photograph does not preclude the absence of defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. Shapiro Auctions, LLC., including its consultants and agents, shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

    Shapiro Auctions LLC
  • Joseph Paul Vorst (American, 1897-1947) White Gold, c. 1938
    Oct. 17, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst (American, 1897-1947) White Gold, c. 1938

    Est: $15,000 - $25,000

    Joseph Paul Vorst (American, 1897-1947) White Gold, c. 1938 oil on masonite signed J. Vorst (lower right) 37 x 25 inches. Provenance: The Artist Thence by descent to the Artist's wife Marvin Gold, acquired from the above Thence by descent Melissa Williams Fine Art Lot note: Joseph Paul Vorst was born in 1897 in Essen, Germany. From a young age, he proved talented at drawing and pursued an education in the arts, which culminated with his enrollment at the Academy of Arts in Berlin in 1930. There, he became acquainted with the works of prominent Expressionist and Impressionist painters of the era. With Nazism on the rise, Vorst denounced the systematic censoring of Jewish artists and subsequently fled the deleterious climate in Germany, to eventually settle in Saint-Louis. Prior to emigrating to the United States, Vorst was baptized and joined The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter-Day Saints, remaining an active member until his death in 1947. His dedication to his faith instilled in him life-long values of compassion and profound kinship with others, which in turn permeated his artistic output. He quickly embraced the social realist aesthetic that pervaded the arts in the context of the Great Depression, frequently participating in the programs of the WPA, and exhibiting his work widely to the public. His paintings translate his deep engagement with the communities affected by the economic crisis, never shying away from the controversial topics of race and class, and portraying the familiar themes of labor and economic hardship with benevolence and dignity.

    Hindman
  • Joseph Paul Vorst (American, 1897-1947) Untitled, c. 1938
    Oct. 17, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst (American, 1897-1947) Untitled, c. 1938

    Est: $15,000 - $25,000

    Joseph Paul Vorst (American, 1897-1947) Untitled, c. 1938 oil on masonite signed J. Vorst (lower right) 37 x 25 inches. Provenance: Scott Kerr, author of An American Art Colony: The Art and Artists of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, 1930-1940 (label on the reverse) Lot note: Joseph Paul Vorst was born in 1897 in Essen, Germany. From a young age, he proved talented at drawing and pursued an education in the arts, which culminated with his enrollment at the Academy of Arts in Berlin in 1930. There, he became acquainted with the works of prominent Expressionist and Impressionist painters of the era. With Nazism on the rise, Vorst denounced the systematic censoring of Jewish artists and subsequently fled the deleterious climate in Germany, to eventually settle in Saint-Louis. Prior to emigrating to the United States, Vorst was baptized and joined The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter-Day Saints, remaining an active member until his death in 1947. His dedication to his faith instilled in him life-long values of compassion and profound kinship with others, which in turn permeated his artistic output. He quickly embraced the social realist aesthetic that pervaded the arts in the context of the Great Depression, frequently participating in the programs of the WPA, and exhibiting his work widely to the public. His paintings translate his deep engagement with the communities affected by the economic crisis, never shying away from the controversial topics of race and class, and portraying the familiar themes of labor and economic hardship with benevolence and dignity.

    Hindman
  • Joseph Vorst (American, 1897-1947) American Scene (Triptych)
    Oct. 17, 2023

    Joseph Vorst (American, 1897-1947) American Scene (Triptych)

    Est: $7,000 - $9,000

    Joseph Vorst (American, 1897-1947) American Scene (Triptych) tempera on masonite bears artist's estate stamp (on the reverse) 28 x 34 inches. Property from a St. Louis Gentleman Provenance: The American Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri Acquired from the above by the present owner, 1992 Exhibited: St. Louis, The American Gallery, Joseph P. Vorst: Painter and Lithographer of the American Scene, May 14 - June 30, 1992, no. 12 Lot note: Joseph Paul Vorst was born in 1897 in Essen, Germany. From a young age, he proved talented at drawing and pursued an education in the arts, which culminated with his enrollment at the Academy of Arts in Berlin in 1930. There, he became acquainted with the works of prominent Expressionist and Impressionist painters of the era. With Nazism on the rise, Vorst denounced the systematic censoring of Jewish artists and subsequently fled the deleterious climate in Germany, to eventually settle in Saint-Louis. Prior to emigrating to the United States, Vorst was baptized and joined The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter-Day Saints, remaining an active member until his death in 1947. His dedication to his faith instilled in him life-long values of compassion and profound kinship with others, which in turn permeated his artistic output. He quickly embraced the social realist aesthetic that pervaded the arts in the context of the Great Depression, frequently participating in the programs of the WPA, and exhibiting his work widely to the public. His paintings translate his deep engagement with the communities affected by the economic crisis, never shying away from the controversial topics of race and class, and portraying the familiar themes of labor and economic hardship with benevolence and dignity.

    Hindman
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Last Corn, lithograph
    Sep. 16, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Last Corn, lithograph

    Est: $500 - $700

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Last Corn lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, framed. Exhibited: Eleanor Smith Galleries, 1941 Elizabeth Rosier Gallery, "Works of Joseph P. Vorst" June 3 - July 4 1995

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  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), One of Their Pets, lithograph, ed. 9/52
    Sep. 16, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), One of Their Pets, lithograph, ed. 9/52

    Est: $500 - $700

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) One of Their Pets lithograph, ed. 9/52 signed and numbered in pencil lower margin, framed. Exhibited: Memorial Exhibition Latter Day Saints Church, 1949 Salt Lake City 2017

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  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Good Lord Give Me Peace, lithograph
    Sep. 16, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Good Lord Give Me Peace, lithograph

    Est: $1,000 - $1,500

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Good Lord Give Me Peace lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, framed. Exhibited: Elizabeth Rosier Gallery, "Works of Joseph P. Vorst" June 3 - July 4 1995 Memorial Exhibition Latter Day Saints Church, 1949

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  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Old Landmark, lithograph
    Sep. 16, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Old Landmark, lithograph

    Est: $700 - $900

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Old Landmark lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, framed. Exhibited: Elizabeth Rosier Gallery, "Works of Joseph P. Vorst" June 3 - July 4 1995 Memorial Exhibition Latter Day Saints Church, 1949 Salt Lake City 2017

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  • Joseph Paul Vorst, (1897-1947), Cool Drink, lithograph
    Sep. 16, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, (1897-1947), Cool Drink, lithograph

    Est: $500 - $700

    Joseph Paul Vorst (1897-1947) Cool Drink lithograph signed in pencil lower margin, framed. Exhibited: Memorial Exhibition Latter Day Saints Church, 1949 Salt Lake City, 2017 8 x 11 3/8 inches

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Sharecroppers, colored pencil on paper
    Sep. 16, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Sharecroppers, colored pencil on paper

    Est: $1,200 - $1,600

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Sharecroppers colored pencil on paper signed lower right, in a carved giltwood frame.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), The Blacksmith, oil on panel
    Sep. 16, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), The Blacksmith, oil on panel

    Est: $15,000 - $20,000

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) The Blacksmith oil on panel Joseph Paul Vorst (1897-1947) was born outside Essen, Germany. He grew up in poverty before fleeing Nazi Germany for Sainte-Geneviève, Missouri, where he practiced his craft and became a successful "American" artist whose works have been collected by the MET, the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, SLAM, and many others. He gained popularity because of his capacity to capture Missouri folks: the poor and their struggles; German-American and African-American farmers and labourers; farm life in general; country spirituality; and some of the joys and pains of simple living in Hoovervilles during the Great Depression. His own childhood poverty and struggles in Germany and as an immigrant here surely helped him empathise with all sorts of folks in rural Missouri. Here he has captured a blacksmith in his forge, i.e. his workshop, possibly located in either St. Louis or Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. A blacksmith is a skilled artisan who works heating metals to extremely high temperatures before forging them into tools or weapons or horse shoes, for example. This important profession has been around in human history since the Iron Age (which began in some parts of the world around the 15th c. BCE)—so it's one of the oldest human professions. A blacksmith needs his metals to reach extremely high temperatures that are indicated by the color of the steel or iron; a red glow represents temps above 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, and as the temps rise the metal glows into lighter and lighter shades, moving through the orange and yellow ranges. A white glow is the hottest, and it means the metal has reached 2500 degrees F and can be worked into any shape (but above that temperature the metal simply melts and any work will be lost). Due to the extreme heat inside the smithy, it is understandable why Vorst's blacksmith has removed his shirt. We see him here seated and wearing long pants covered with leather pant protectors held up by heavy-duty suspenders. In his right hand he grips the main tool of his ancient craft: the hammer; he shows off his muscular upper body and left hand, which rests on his left thigh. He does not engage with the viewer; he keeps his gaze fixed elsewhere, likely on his fire. From his skin coloration it appears that he doesn't often remove his shirt while at work. He sits next to the anvil upon which he forges his metals and practices his craft. Vorst created this painting from the image of an actual blacksmith, a man with blue eyes and likely in his fifties, probably at the height of his career, and who might have been of Germanic origin. The archival file on this painting from the artist's family (now held at Link) includes a photograph of the shirtless and moustached artisan on which this painting was based. signed lower right, framed. Exhibited: 1939 New York World's Fair, "Work of American Artists" 1976 SIU Carbondale exhibit of the American Blacksmith Elizabeth Rosier Gallery, "Works of Joseph P. Vorst" June 3 - July 4 1995

    Link Auction Galleries
  • Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Polynesian, oil on panel
    Sep. 16, 2023

    Joseph Paul Vorst, Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri (1897-1947), Polynesian, oil on panel

    Est: $1,500 - $2,000

    Joseph Paul Vorst Essen, Germany/ Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, (1897-1947) Polynesian oil on panel unsigned, framed.

    Link Auction Galleries
  • VORST, Joseph Paul (American, 1897-1947) Untitled (A Boot i...
    Jun. 28, 2023

    VORST, Joseph Paul (American, 1897-1947) Untitled (A Boot i...

    Est: $1,000 - $2,000

    VORST, Joseph Paul (American, 1897-1947) Untitled (A Boot in Flora). ca. 1925. Oil on Masonite. Signed lower right. 24 x 20”. Frame: 30 x 26”. Edges and corners worn. Vorst was friends with Thomas Hart Benton.

    Potter & Potter Auctions Inc.
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