The Blue Portal

Artist Fremont F. Ellis (American, 1897 - 1985)

Date1952

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensions20 x 25 1/8 inches (50.8 x 63.8 cm)
Frame: 27 1/4 × 32 × 3 inches (69.2 × 81.3 × 7.6 cm)

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

Object number31.20.17

ClassificationsPaintings

DescriptionHorizontal oil painting depicting a dirt yard in front of a low blue building. The shadow of a fence and tree branches sketch across the dirt yard. A small tree and shrubs sit alongside the building, which has a porch with a wooden awning along it. A gate sits along the right edge of the yard.

Label TextBy giving the title “Blue Portal” to this painting, Ellis draws our attention to this feature. The portal in New Mexico architectural terms refers to the porch or patio of the adobe house. Yet he paints only a section of the portal. Visually, a tree’s shadow, which breaks across the parched yard, dominates the painting. Ellis makes strong contrasts between light and shadow. The portal gives some respite from the heat of the sun.

ProvenanceArtist; purchased October 6, 1953 by H.J. Lutcher Stark [1887-1965]; ½ interest bequeathed September 2, 1965 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation [1]; remaining ½ interest gifted June 15, 1973 to the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation by Nelda C. Stark [1909-1999]; 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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