Lot 805
Lawrence A. Lebduska (American, 1894-1966), "Oxen in the Stream", oil on masonite, signed and dated "'48" lower right, 22 in. x 28 in. E3000-5000 Provenance: Gift of Ellis Wilson to close friend James Ligon, New York City. Note: Trained as stained glass craftsman, Lawrence Leduska's first job was as a decorative wall muralist for the celebrated New York City interior decorator Elsie de Wolfe. Leduska's occupation led him to an interest in creating easel paintings of whimsical scenes of animals, portraits and imaginary historical events. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller was an early champion of the artist. Despite his critical success, Leduska, an alcoholic, fell on hard times by the 1940s. Living in flop houses in Greenwich Village and the Bowery, the artist often traded his works for cigarettes and beer. Fascinated by his work, Long Island art dealer Eva Lee located and nursed Leduska back to health and recovery from alcoholism. As his health improved, he began to paint and had a one-man show of his work at the Krasner Gallery in New York City. The painting "Oxen in the Stream" was owned by the artist Ellis Wilson. Originally from Kentucky Wilson lived in New York City for over twenty years. It is logical to assume that two talented New York City artists were friendly, and well acquainted with each other's work.
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