Accession Number
1987/2.35

Title
Three Girls on Fishing Pier

Artist(s)
Eddie Arning

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
circa 1969-1973

Medium & Support
oil pastel on paper

Dimensions
21 7/8 in x 31 7/8 in (55.56 cm x 80.96 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Alexander Sackton

Subject matter
This work was likely created while Arning was staying in a nursing home after being hospitalized for mental health disorders. It was there that he was first encouraged to create art as a form of therapy after a caregiver brought him art supplies. A strong example of Arning's style, this work features bold colors and strong, angular lines. The three girls depicted here are typical of Arning's figures, recongizable by the mostly frontal view of their bodies, with heads and limbs in profile. This scene may reflect back on Arning's childhood on a farm in Germania, Texas, the source of inspiration for many of his works.

Physical Description
This drawing shows three figures sitting on a platform in the center; they all look to the left. The colored background is white with green, brown, blue, and black patterns of plants and other geometric motifs. A yellow-gold border frames the scene with a darker black frame edging the paper.

Primary Object Classification
Drawing

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
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Keywords
fishing
girl
girls
modern and contemporary art
oil pastels
piers (marine landings)