Girl with Fruits

DateAugust 12-20, 1970

Artist/Maker Eddie Arning (1898 - 1993)

MediumOil pastel and pencil on wove gray-green colored paper

DimensionsUnframed: 19 11/16 x 25 5/8in. (50 x 65.1cm) Framed: 28 3/8 x 33 7/8in. (72.1 x 86cm)

Credit LineGift of Dr. & Mrs. Alexander Sackton

Object number1984.201.6

DescriptionBrown border approx. 1 1/8" wide encloses the composition, followed by an inner dark turquoise border approx. 5/8" wide. Female figure in a blue dress with green belt appears to recline slightly at left against a swath of olive green with another patch of olive green in front of her, all against a background of light blue. 12 yellow-orange circles of varying sizes are scattered over the field. Figure holds a small yellow shape to her cheek. She has dark brown skin and black hair, a blue eye and a blue ear, orange shoes.
Label TextA pale-blue background color encircles the orange globes in short, choppy strokes creating visual vortices that draw the eye into the picture. At the same time, the circles decrease in size from right to left, producing the illusion of receding space. The olive-green swath through the center of the picture is a fortuitous addition, one probably created by Arning to fill space and increase color contrast. Shadows in the photograph that originally inspired him may have suggested the addition as well.
InscribedIn pencil in script on the reverse is "Eddie, Arning." The Sackton inventory number "1410" appaers in ink in the lower right corner of the reverse. An illegible blind stamp appears in the lower left corner, and illegible impressed lettering appears vertically in the left margin (probably the paper manufacturer's markings in both cases). Second word of blind stamp may be "PAPIERS". Other, more legible blind stamps on other Arning drawings indicate the wording here may be "LES PAPIERS/CANSON". For probable wording of verticle lettering, see AARFAC's Arning drawing of THE GRAVE DIGGERS (1984.201.3).
MarkingsSee "Inscriptions."
ProvenanceThe drawing was acquired directly from the artist by Dr. and Mrs. Alexander H. Sackton of Austin, Texas, who in turn donated the work to the Folk Art Center.