80: JOHN THOMAS NOLF (1872-1950) OIL ON BOARD

John Thomas Nolf (1872-1950)
Untitled Boy Practicing Clarinet (Circa 1925.)
Signed lower right.
John Thomas Nolf, short-term resident of Joplin, Missouri and many other locales lived a pretty colorful life before becoming an artist. Winnings from a poker game enabled him to move to Chicago, where he attend the Art Institute, launching his career as an artist, illustrator and teacher. He is most associated with the quaint Illinois village of Grand Detour, home of the Grand Detour Artist's Colony where he described himself as mayor - and another described him as 'Will Rodgers without the chewing gum and lariat.'
The young musician portrayed here was most likely from Grand Detour as well. Nolf chose local citizens as models for his paintings, like the young men in his award winning painting 'Boys Plowing' from 1928 now on display in the Union League Club Museum at Northwestern University.
Board size 16 x 14, frame measures 20 x 18.25 inches.
Very good condition. There are no issues of scratches, losses, repairs, in-painting or touch-up. Great framing.
$1,000 - $1,500