Provenance

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene V. Thaw

Thaw, Eugene V. and Gene

he: born 1927

Explore selected works

Two dogs, one with short white hair to our left and one with longer black hair to our right, stand in front of the base of a pair of columns set in a landscape in this horizontal painting. Both dogs stand with their heads to our left. The short-haired grayhound to our left leaps or is shown midstride with its front paws off the ground as it turns to look behind it, to our right. It has cream-colored fur with tawny brown spots near the base of its thin tail and covering its right eye and ear. The dog has a long, pointed snout, and its ribs show a little through its thin frame. To our right, the furry black dog has long ears, a short tail, and small white spots on its chest and lower lip. It stands planted on all four feet, looking at the grayhound with brown eyes. The tails of both dogs are raised as if in play. The caramel-brown, stone column base behind the grayhound is chipped and cracked in a few places, but supports a pair of columns that rise off the top edge of the canvas. The landscape beyond the dogs is painted with muted moss-green trees and a pale blue sky. A plant, possibly a marigold, grows from the scrubby green ground under the white dog. Names are written with capital, shiny gold letters under each dog. The name “MISSE” is written against a rock in the lower left corner and “LVTTINE” under the black dog. The artist signed and dated the work as if written on the face of the column base: “J.B, Oudry 1729.”
Jean-Baptiste Oudry, Misse and Luttine, 1729, oil on canvas, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Victor Thaw, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1994.53.1

Misse and Luttine

Jean-Baptiste Oudry · 1729 · oil on canvas ·  Accession ID  1994.53.1

This is a drawing of several figures in a mythological scene. The central figure wears armor and a helmet, holding a spear, surrounded by other figures. There are trees in the background. One figure is seated, and a winged figure is in the upper right corner. The drawing is in dark tones, with a dramatic and ancient style.
Claude Lorrain, The Judgment of Paris, c. 1645, pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk on laid paper; laid down, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Victor Thaw, 1997.115.1

The Judgment of Paris

Claude Lorrain · c. 1645 · pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk on laid paper; laid down ·  Accession ID  1997.115.1

The image is a sketch of two abstract figures intertwined, drawn with dark ink on a blue paper background. The figures are composed of swirling lines and shapes, making it difficult to distinguish specific details like facial features or clothing. They appear to be in motion, interacting closely with each other. There are no discernible accessories or objects in the sketch. The background is plain blue paper, providing contrast to the dark ink lines of the drawing.
Francesco Guardi, An Elegantly Dressed Woman Struggling with a Lion, 1780/1785, pen and brown ink on blue paper with white heightening, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, 2008.42.1

An Elegantly Dressed Woman Struggling with a Lion

Francesco Guardi · 1780/1785 · pen and brown ink on blue paper with white heightening ·  Accession ID  2008.42.1

Slivers drawn in black chalk, painted with vibrant green, yellow, and red, or left white are interwoven in this square, abstract composition. The painted areas are too small to make out any objects, and the drawn areas are rounded or angular shapes. The overall impression is that shards from a painting, drawing, or blank canvas have been reassembled like bits of broken mirror. The artist signed and dated the lower center, “Lee Krasner ’76.”
Lee Krasner, Imperative, 1976, oil, charcoal and paper on canvas, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Victor Thaw, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art, 1991.59.1

Imperative

Lee Krasner · 1976 · oil, charcoal and paper on canvas ·  Accession ID  1991.59.1