Frederick Polley in New Orleans #2

Indiana artist and printmaker Frederick Polley loved the city of New Orleans and found great inspiration in its narrow streets, it's crowded market areas, and it's unique international culture. A master at capturing the art of architecture wherever he travelled, it is for his rendering of houses, buildings, city structures, and urban landscapes that he is perhaps best known.

Click to enlarge

These two drawings, copied here from newsprint, were published in the Indianapolis Star in the 1940's. He had a regular column feature in the newspaper at that time and usually included a few well-tuned paragraphs describing the subject or location of the week. He would often muse about its history, prominence, or its beauty in an unpretentious and appreciative, even a poetic tone.

Click to enlarge

Frederick Polley was well-known and well-liked in the New Orleans art community and upon invitation, exhibited a number of his works at the New Orleans Art League show in 1943. For more information about him, and other examples of his work, click on the appropriate label in the list of categories.

Frederick Polley is one of my ancestors and, when possible, my family collects his artwork.

If you see any, please let me know!

Frederick Polley: "Twin Barns"

For Christmas this year, my brother and I purchased this oil painting by Frederick Polley to give to my mother. My brother did all of the heavy lifting on this one, handling the live auction by phone and paying the great majority of the actual cost. He paid a handsome sum for this little gem, more by several hundred dollars, than any of us have paid to date for a Polley work. But the oils are fairly rare, and this is a very nice one.

A small piece, 9.25 x 11.25 inches, it is nevertheless a beautiful example of Polley's affection for the rural setting. We have no provenance to prove it, but this scene looks very much like it could have been from his Brown County years in the early 1940's in which he lived and worked in the artist community around Nashville, Indiana. One the back of the canvas board, handwritten, it says "Twin Barns - $20", which we all found ruefully amusing since the winning bid was for $1000, plus fees. Uncle Fred, a man of modest temperament, would be pleased and shocked, no doubt, at the way his art continues to increase in value. My grandmother never fails to mention how very, very pleased he would be, too, if he knew that his family valued and collected his works.

This piece is seemingly more impressionistic than some. There are portions of the foreground that are finely detailed and other sections, like the misty ridge in the background that are more suggestive. There are a lot of pinkish hues at work in the barn and on the rough, dirt road, but the effect is pleasing and suggests that there may have been some atypical lighting available that day. It is common, in this part of the country, to see two such barns of different design and vintage to be huddled together thus. They share a relationship not unlike that of the two finely drawn trees in the foreground. It is interesting though, that Polley titled the work "Twin Barns", if indeed that title is of his choosing, since they are not, in fact, twins at all.

My mom was very pleased with this and I am proud of my brother for making this happen. Her life is full right now, but I continue to encourage her to work on her biography of Frederick Polley. I have voluteered to help, too. Maybe 2007 will be the year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!

Listening: "Samson" by Regina Spektor from her recent album Begin To Hope. JP gave me this album for my birthday and it is very good. There are some superficial similarities to Tori Amos, but Spektor really has some interesting, non-formulaic, compositional ideas. And she is an excellent, unusual vocalist. Check her out...you can find her on Youtube, iTunes, and all of the ususal places.

Frederick Polley - New York City

Frederick Polley was exceedingly gifted in drawing architectural subjects, and he demonstrated a special appreciation for historic churches, in particular. Many of his works feature buildings and typically one sees that he strives to capture not merely an accurately rendered image, but also to reflect a sense of identity, character, and even history associated with his subject.

This lithograph was made from a drawing entitled "Little Church Around The Corner". I don't know which church this is in New York City, or precisely when it was drawn, but there are several things to appreciate. I like the open gate and the pastoral tone set by the shrubbery wall and courtyard, juxtaposed against the subtle backdrop of skyscrapers and penthouses in the near background.

When possible, my family collects the works of Frederick Polley.
If you see any, please let me know!


Listening: Lachrimae Pavin by John Dowland

Frederick Polley in New Orleans No. 1

Click to enlarge

Frederick Polley loved New Orleans and made a number of excellent drawings while visiting there. He seemed to appreciate the intrinsic uniqueness of the city, how it was unlike any other that he had seen in his considerable travels. This, and several pictures to follow, were published in the Indianapolis Star back in the 1940's. Customarily, for all of his published newspaper work, he also wrote a by-line describing the location, maybe its history, sometimes the occasion of his visit, etc.


Listening: Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis (b. circa1505-d.11/23/1585) This is a hauntingly beautiful piece, unique in its use of 40 voices, divided into 8 5-voice choirs, each singing a unique part. This very popular work is presumed to have debuted at Queen Elizabeth's 40th birthday and it has had an interesting performance history, including a special BBC performance this year.

Frederick Polley, American Artist (1875-1957)

Frederick M. Polley. Painter, Printmaker, Illustrator, Writer and Teacher. Indianapolis, IN. Born 15 August 1875 in Union City, IN; died 9 Sept 1957, Brown County, IN.

Studied Indiana University, Corcoran Art School, Washington, DC.

Teachers included James R. Hopkins and William Forsyth.

Exhibited: Society of Etchers, Brooklyn, NY, Philadelphia Society of Etchers, Library of Congress 1944 and 1945, Carnegie Institute 1945, Delgado Museum. Prizes include Hoosier Salon 1942 and 1943, Indiana Art Club 1939, 43, 45, New Orleans Art League 1943, Herron Art Institute 1934.



His work is contained in the collections of the National Museum, Washington, DC, Herron Art Institute, Iowa State University, University of Pittsburgh. He was author/illustrator of "Our America, Historic Churches in America" and illustrator for "Indianapolis Old and New".

Polley was illustrator for the "Indianapolis Star" (Sunday edition) 1924-47. Also illustrator for "Ladies Home Journal" and "Esquire". Taught at Herron Art School, Indiana University and Arsenal Technical High School, 1917-1941. He headed the graphic arts department of Arsenal Technical High School for many years.

When possible, my family collects the works of Frederick Polley.

If you see any, please let me know!