01 Work, CONTEMPORARY Interpretation of the Bible! Eugene Berman's The Masked Annunciation, with Footnotes - #59

Eugene Berman (1899-1972)

The Masked Annunciation, c. 1942

Pen, India ink and wash on board

16 3/16 x 13 1/8 in (41 x 33.3 cm)

Private collection

Sold for US$1,147.50 in December 2022

In 1942, Berman worked on several sketch versions of the Masked Annunciation. The most finished version is in the permanent collection of the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida, but there are two other unsigned and undated versions illustrated in The Graphic Work of Eugene Berman (E. Berman, New York, 1971), both of which are dated 1942 and similarly titled. The standing figure on the left is the Angel Gabriel, although his face and wings are not shown, he is identified by the traditional white lilies which he holds. In many earlier scenes of the Annunciation painted during the Renaissance, the Angel Gabriel is shown only by a powerful ray of light on the Virgin. More on this work

Born in Russia, Eugene Berman is known for his imaginary landscapes and architectural conceits. He is also recognized for his Baroque-like stage set designs for the likes of the Metropolitan Opera. A leader among the Surrealist and Neo-Romantic artists, Berman focused on the expression of emotion, loneliness and human isolation that emerged between the World Wars. Trained in Paris, and influenced directly by the works of Pierre Bonnard, Berman was drawn to the U.S. by the legendary dealer Julien Levy and exhibited alongside Salvador Dali, Man Ray, Marcel Duchamp and a young Howard Warshaw. Inspired by imaginary worlds created by Hollywood, Berman lived in Los Angeles for almost ten years during which time he enjoyed the patronage of the legendary collector Wright Ludington. Berman’s work is held by many significant museums and has been featured in solo exhibitions including 2005's High Drama: Eugene Berman and the Legacy of the Melancholic Sublime. In 1957, Berman retired to Rome after the death of his wife, actress Ona Munson. More on Eugene Berman

Please visit my other blogs: Art Collector, Mythology, Marine Art, Portrait of a Lady, The Orientalist, Art of the Nude and The Canals of Venice, Middle East Artists, 365 Saints, 365 Days, and Biblical Icons, also visit my Boards on Pinterest and my art stores at  deviantart and Aaroko

Images are copyright of their respective owners, assignees or others. Some Images may be subject to copyright

I don't own any of these images - credit is always given when due unless it is unknown to me. if I post your images without your permission, please tell me.

Ads are shown only to compensate the hosting expenses.

If you enjoyed this post, please share with friends and family.

Thank you for visiting my blog and also for liking its posts and pages.

Please note that the content of this post primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online.