Sturtevant-Helena-Nude-
Helena Sturtevant (1872-1946), “In Her Dressing Room,” oil on canvas, 36″ x 24

“Autumn Arrivals” will open Saturday, October 14th at the Wiscasset Bay Gallery in Wiscasset, Maine. One of the most diverse shows of the year, the exhibition will span from Realism in the nineteenth century to Spanish, French and American Impressionism, to mid-century and contemporary art. Works by Paul Seignac (French, 1826-1904), Aristide Maillol (French, 1861-1944), Theresa Bernstein (American, 1890-2002), Augusto Junquera (Spanish, 1869-1942), Charles Emil Jacque (French, 1813-1894) and Alfred Chadbourn (American, 1921-1998) will be included.

Of particular interest is a colorful impressionist oil of a nude by Helena Sturtevant (American, 1872-1946) titled “In Her Dressing Room.” Sturtevant studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in the late nineteenth century under Edmund Tarbell and the Académie Colarossi in Paris. Unlike the École des Beaux Arts, the Académie Colarossi allowed female students to draw both male and female nude models and Sturtevant graduated with distinction.

Contrasting Sturtevant’s elegant interior painting is a lithograph by American Social Realist artist Georges Schreiber (American, 1904-1997). Schreiber was employed by the WPA as an artist during the Great Depression. In 1939, he travelled to forty eight states capturing the American rural scene with honesty and directness. “Twilight,” which was based on Schreiber’s painting “Wind in the Cornfield” utilizes strong darks and lights for emotional impact as a farm couple walks through a barren cornfield at dusk.

Other works by twentieth century and contemporary Maine artists include Chris Huntington, Keith Oehmig, David Kasman, Roberta Goschke, Guy Corriero, Diana Johnson, Paul Niemiec and Quincy Brimstein.

“Autumn Arrivals” will be on display at the Wiscasset Bay Gallery, 67 Main Street, Wiscasset, Maine through November 30th. For further information, call (207) 882-7682 or visit the gallery’s website at www.wiscassetbaygallery.com. The Wiscasset Bay Gallery is open daily from 10:30 am until 5:00 pm and is located at 67 Main Street (Route 1) in historic Wiscasset village.