Lot 1001: Mel Wiken (American/New Orleans, 20th c.), "Friday

Mel Wiken (American/New Orleans, 20th c.), "Friday Night at Pete's Lounge", oil on canvas, signed and dated "1976" lower right, 30 in. x 40 in., in a period frame.

Provenance: Commissioned for Pete's Lounge, Airline Highway, Kenner, LA, c. 1976. Note: Commissioned by the bar owner Mr. Pete, French Quarter artist Mel Wiken depicted an entertaining Friday night at Pete's Lounge. Mr. Pete is shown in an amorous embrace with a scantily clad young woman who is picking his pocket; nearby is his blond muscular personal bodyguard. Mr. Pete's long time girlfriend Miss Effie, who ran the smoke-filled bar, is shown in one of her revealing outfits bartending. In the midst of the bar full of regulars is Miss Gwen wearing a blue dress, deep in conversation with herself; two young men in a fistfight and a beer being pour over the head of a drunken friend, etc.