PRESENTING a simply BEAUTIFUL, MONUMENTAL and IMPOSING original work of contemporary art, namely, a Triptych oil on canvas panels of New Orleans Colonial/French Quarter Houses.
Unsigned and undated, but most definitely inspired by the World Renowned New Orleans artist, James Michalopoulos.
These were not painted by Michalopoulos, but were clearly inspired by him and his famous depictions of ‘wavey’ New Orleans houses. Also, they were created and painted in New Orleans, contemporaneously to when Michalopoulos was starting to become recognized, in the New Orleans (and greater) artworld.
The 3 panels work perfectly together as a visual feast and ‘connected’ work of art.
The panel on the left features a wavy blue, grey and yellow, French Quarter style 2 Story Wooden house, complete with Corinthian Style Columns, decks, railings, storm shuttered windows, etc. It has a deep blue sky with shimmering light reflections. The garden to the front, has steps leading to the house and has shrubs and flowers, that are continued into the 2nd or middle/center panel.
The middle or center panel incorporates the other side of the garden plants etc for continuity and it features a single story pink, yellow and white wavy French Quarter style house, with fabulous decor and complete with decks, railings, storm shuttered windows, etc. It has a deep blue sky with shimmering light reflections and a white moon, emitting swirling patterns of light. The garden to the front, has steps leading to the house and has shrubs and flowers, that are continued into the 3rd or right panel.
The right panel, features a wavy light blue, dark pink and yellow French Quarter style 2 Story Wooden house, complete with decks, railings, storm shuttered windows, etc. It has a deep blue sky with shimmering light reflections. The garden to the front, has shrubs and flowers, that are connected to the center panel decoration.
IT REALLY IS, BEAUTIFULLY PAINTED and VISUALLY CONSTRUCTED!
Much like Michalopoulos’ techniques, the painting appears to be a combination of palate knife of encaustic oils (mainly) and brush (mainly for sky background).
SPECIFIC PROVENANCE:
These panels were hand painted and created, for a Ms Naomi Baggett, by artist unknown, in or around 1990 – 1999. Originally from North Carolina, an Air Force Veteran and JAG Advocate, Ms. Baggett, after her service moved to New Orleans and worked as a paralegal, until setting up and operating an Art & Curiosities Store in the famous New Orleans Hotel Monteleone between 1990 and 1995. Her store was called ‘Baggatelle’. It was featured in various industry magazines and hotel documentation. The store specialized in selling miniature French Quarter Houses which were used as jewelry boxes. Ms. Baggett was an artist herself and hand made and hand painted these houses along with a partner. She received orders for these miniature houses from none other than Gump’s of San Francisco. Arising from these successes she went into business with Davis & York and regularly attended Trade Shows, where she exhibited her miniature houses (see photos). Between 1990 and 1995 she would have known of the rising and increasingly popular local artist named, James Michalopoulos. Her miniature houses were decorated in a style very similar to Michalopoulos’ depictions of French Quarter Houses. She obviously, had another artist friend (possibly her business partner), paint this set of 3 panels for her and they were connected by hinges to make a screen, which she used as a back-drop to her trade show stalls, as it fit perfectly with her ‘themed’ miniature houses. (see photos) In the late 1990s, Ms. Baggett moved to Dallas, Texas where she returned to her paralegal work. She retained the screen/panels until she unfortunately, passed away in late 2019 after a long illness. These panels have remained in her and her partner’s possession since painted. She obviously loved Michalopoulos’ works, as she also possessed a signed original Michalopoulos Oil on Canvas, which she sold at the New Orleans Auction Galleries in 2019 known as “Green Litigus’ from 1995.
THESE ARE HIGHLY DECORATIVE and FULLY ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART.
THEY ARE HIGHLY DESIRABLE IN THEIR OWN RIGHT!
If they had been painted by Michalopoulos, they would be very, very valuable BUT they are still of ‘real value’ due to their ORIGINALITY, QUALITY, SUBJECT MATTER and SIZE!
Monumental Triptych Oil on Canvas Panels Of New Orleans French Quarter Houses.
Provenance: See Above
Dimensions: Each Panel is 72 inches tall, 30 inches wide and 1 inch deep. Together and hung, the work of art is 72×92.
Condition: One professional repair to a small 1.5 inch tear to the panel on the left. Professionally patched on the rear and not visible. Otherwise they are near mint. They have been professionally cleaned.
SALE PRICE NOW: $28,000 (Set)
