Two Geese

DateFebruary 19-26, 1970

Artist/Maker Eddie Arning (1898 - 1993)

MediumOil pastel ("Cray-pas") and pencil on laid olive green paper

DimensionsFramed: 22 × 32in. (55.9 × 81.3cm) Other: 30 1/4 × 39 7/8 × 1in. (76.8 × 101.3 × 2.5cm)

Credit LineGift of Dr. & Mrs. Alexander Sackton

Object number1984.201.4

DescriptionA red border approximately 1 1/8" wide encloses the whole, followed by a dark blue inner border approximately 5/8" wide. Two large birds stand on a bright green ground, with darker green tree-like plants scattered in horizontal lines above, below, and beside them. A bare branch in gray-pink runs diagonally through the center behind the birds' heads. There are olive green patches in the lower right corner and in the upper part of the picture plane. The birds have red bills and feet, blue and black eyes, and are both basically white; one has gray and black markings over the white, the other blue.
The modern 1 1/4-inch flat, black-painted frame is an addition made by AARFAM following acquisition.
Label TextInstead of placing his two geese face-to-face on the same ground level as was done in the original magazine illustration that inspired this work, Arning staggered the positions of the two birds so that the head and neck of one curve over those of the other in a seemingly protective manner. The upper edge of the middle background color follows the lines of their bodies and accentuates their closeness.
MarkingsIn pencil in script on the reverse is "Eddie, Arning". Sackton inventory no. ("1300") appears in black ink in the lower right corner of the reverse.
ProvenanceThe drawing was acquired directly from the artist by Dr. and Mrs. Alexander Sackton of Austin, Texas, who in turn donated the work to the Folk Art Center.