American mid 20C, Vintage Oil Painting on Canvas, Expressionist Primate Portrait
ARTIST: American mid 20th centuryTITLE: Expressionist Primate PortraitMEDIUM: Oil on canvas SIGNATURE: Unsigned ART SIZE: 24x20 inches / 61x51 cmFRAME SIZE: 32x28 inches / 81x71 cmCONDITION: Few minor scratches / paint losses. No visible inpaint under UV light. Some damages to frame. DESCRIPTION: Striking vintage oil painting of a primate’s face emerging from a swirling green background. The intense orange eyes and bold impasto strokes create a haunting, expressionist portrayal evoking themes of fear and transformation. Canvas measures 24x20 in., housed in a distressed wood frame. Stretcher stamped Island Art Center, Staten Island, NY, indicating mid-20th-century U.S. origin. Found with a vintage Polaroid of the painting in a private interior and a 1992 newly-released York Post clipping referencing Sigourney Weaver’s preparation for Aliens 3. Some claim she drew inspiration from a monkey painting—this may be that exceptionally work