The Chief Goes Through

Artist Ernest Leonard Blumenschein (American, 1874 - 1960)

Date1956

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensions30 1/8 x 40 inches (76.5 x 101.6 cm)
Frame: 35 1/2 × 45 1/2 × 2 1/4 inches (90.2 × 115.6 × 5.7 cm)

Credit LinePartial Bequest of H.J. Lutcher Stark, 1965 and Partial Gift of Nelda C. Stark, 1973

Object number31.30.9

ClassificationsPaintings

Label TextBlumenschein evoked modernism in style and subject in this work. He used a high viewpoint, simplification of shapes, and bold patterning of lines. The artist’s subject is a scene of passenger and freight trains. Artists of the nineteenth century had painted trains traveling through the western landscape. They signaled the conquest of the continental crossing. Blumenschein made the urban railyard his focus. He celebrated modern technology. The painting’s title adds an ironic twist. The “Chief” refers to the name of a sleek, speedy train. Yet the title conjures up common western art depictions of Indian chiefs.

ProvenanceArtist; purchased June 23, 1957 by H.J. Lutcher Stark [1887-1965][1]; ½ interest bequeathed September 2, 1965 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; remaining ½ interest gifted June 15, 1973 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation; accessioned to the Stark Museum of Art | 1. Owned jointly by H.J. Lutcher Stark and Nelda C. Stark until his death at which point his ½ interest was bequeathed to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation.

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