Coney Island
John Wenger
American Art
John Wenger’s view of the amusements at Coney Island (painted his first year as a watercolorist) is extremely lively, owing primarily to the artist’s nervous line and the play of light and color patterns. Born outside of Odessa, Russia, Wenger immigrated to the United States in 1903 and by the twenties was established as a theatrical painter. In his work for the Ziegfeld Follies and the Metropolitan Opera, he honed his skills in designing scenes infused with a dramatic energy.
MEDIUM
Transparent and opaque watercolor over graphite on off-white, moderately thick, slightly textured wove paper mounted to wood pulp paperboard (Whatman Drawing Board)
DATES
1931
DIMENSIONS
21 13/16 x 28 3/16 in. (55.4 x 71.6 cm)
Frame: 28 x 36 x 1 1/2 in. (71.1 x 91.4 x 3.8 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Marks on verso of board: "FACED WITH GENUINE HAND-MADE WHATMAN-'PERFECT' QUALITY EXTRA HARD SIZED. THE REGISTERED TRADE-MARK IS YOUR GUARANTEE"; "WHATMAN DRAWING BOARD"; TRADE SUPPLIED BY THE SOLE DISTRIBUTORS IN THE USA. H. REEVE ANGEL & CO. INC., NEW YORK CITY"; "Obtainable in Five Surfaces: -HP (HOT PRESSED) for Pen and ink, CP (COLD-PRESSED) and R (ROUGH) for WaterColor; also Special Surfaces Nos. 1 and 2 for Wash Drawings"
Countermark on verso of board, top center edge: "J Whatman 1928"
SIGNATURE
Signed and dated lower right, in black watercolor: "John Wenger / 1931"
INSCRIPTIONS
Inscribed verso, lower center, in blue ballpoint pen ink: "Coney Island / Painting in watercolor and tempera / by John Wenger / 1931" [uncertain whether this is in artist's hand]
COLLECTIONS
American Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
67.238
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the artist
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
John Wenger (American, born Russia, 1888–1976). Coney Island, 1931. Transparent and opaque watercolor over graphite on off-white, moderately thick, slightly textured wove paper mounted to wood pulp paperboard (Whatman Drawing Board), 21 13/16 x 28 3/16 in. (55.4 x 71.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the artist, 67.238. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 67.238_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 67.238_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
© Estate of John Wenger
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