ABRAHAM RATTNER (1895-1978) / Listed American Artist / 8x8 Original Watercolor

Abraham Rattner was born in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1895 and became one of America’s most respected expressionists before his death in New York City in 1978 at the age of 82. During WWI, Rattner served as a camouflage artist in France and lived in Paris from 1920-1940 where his artistic work was influenced by Picasso and especially Georges-Henri Rouault. Fleeing back to America as the Nazis invaded France, Rattner settled in New York City where he painted, taught in several schools and even took time to travel cross country with his pal author Henry Miller (“Tropic of Cancer”). Finding an original Rattner is a rarity since much of his work is in major museums around the world including the Leepa-Rattner Museum in Florida which houses the largest collection of his work anywhere. This roughly 8 x 8 inch watercolor is dark but colorful and shows Rattner’s love of color blocking similar to stained glass. As a bonus, there is a second artwork on the back of the paper done in watercolor and silver gouache which shows the influence of Rouault. I actually prefer this second painting over the first but I will leave it to you which one you choose to display. The artwork has been matted to 13 x 16 inches but the mat has a few dings and corner bumps (see photos). The artwork itself is in excellent condition and Rattner signed the ‘stained glass’ side in pencil. Be sure to make an offer on this or one of my other listings which feature many unique and hard to find items.