Abstraction, by John B. Hermansader, Amer., (1915-2005)

Gouache, with touches of Red-Orange and Yellow Pastel, 1950, 10-7/8 x 13-7/8, small crease to to lower left corner tip, some foxing to white triangular area, initialed JBH and dated 1950 in pencil by the artist verso lower right corner, on stiff cream wove bristol board. John Hermansader created a number of classic early LP album covers for the Blue Note record label in the 1940's-50's. Working in New York City at this time, Hermansader embraced the painterly gestural abstraction of the AB-EX New York School. Moving to CT later in his career, Hermansader continued to paint and experiment with printmaking. It appears that he was friendly with Ernest D. Roth, who lived not far away, and many examples of Roth's and other notable artist's work passed through his hands.