An unframed, but matted gouache and ink wash painting by American artist Orson Byron Lowell (1871-1956). It depicts an older man with his cat opening the writing desk to find her kittens, hidden by his onlooking mischievous granddaughters. The piece features outstanding detail along the furniture, rug, and other background decor, including a notable depiction of a Winged Victory of Samothrace statuette on top of the desk. It is signed by the artist in the bottom right corner of the image.

Dimensions: 15.5h x 18.75w inches

Orson Lowell was an American artist best known for his work often featured in magazines. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and later moved to New York City in 1893 to begin his career. In 1905, he found enough success to buy a home in New Rochelle, New York. Shortly thereafter it became an art colony after Norman Rockwell, Edward Penfield, and others moved into the neighborhood. By 1907, he was nationally recognized for his cartoons with a social messages featured in LIFE, Cosmopolitan, Ladies' Home Journal, Metropolitan Life, The Saturday Evening Post, Scribner's, Vogue, and Woman's Home Companion. Following his passing in 1956, former president of the New Rochelle Art Association, Fell Sharp said, “Mr. Lowell did for American society what Frederick Remington did for the Southwest and Toulouse-Lautrec did for the music halls of Paris. He was an artist with a reporter’s nose for a good story”.

This lot may be picked up free of charge from our facilities in Sacramento, CA. Processing and shipping within the Continental US $140.00. All FedEx packages are sent with Direct Signature Required and insured at full replacement value for a fee of 1.5% of the purchase price, unless buyer accepts complete liability in writing. Discounts given on combined lot shipping.

Overall good antique condition. There is a 2-inch scratch at the top of the painting, about center-right. Underneath the mat, the painting was reinforced onto another piece of board with full margins. There is old matting residue visible around the edges of the painting, but the board it was reinforced onto shows little handling wear around. There is some handling wear visible around the mat window. No further wear or restoration is revealed under blacklight. Please see photos.