Browse Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2017.03.02 |
Title |
The Elysian Fields |
Artist |
Nunn, Ancel E. |
Date |
c. 1987 |
Medium |
|
Material |
Ink/Paper |
Dimensions |
H-18 W-26 inches |
Accession number |
2017.03 |
Description |
Edition 88/100 This surreal-style print depicts a carousel horse seeming to fly over a house surrounded by rolling hills. Above the scene, dark blue and grey undulatus clouds cover the sky, with small rays of light peeking through between the clouds. Artist Ancel Nunn created images of rural Texas, combining the past with the present using Surrealist elements. Ancel Edward Nunn was an acclaimed artist known for his super-realism style and acrylic in egg tempera technique. Born on April 27, 1928, in Seymour, Texas, Nunn grew up in several West Texas communities. Ancel began drawing at age 12, and his early art education included studying at the Dallas Art Institute and attending summer workshops under noted artists such as Dong Kingman and Alexandre Hogue. Nunn added to his early art education through summer workshops under noted artists such as Dong Kingman and Alexander Hogue. In 1944 his dry point etching, The Domino Players, won Honorable Mention in the prestigious Ingersoll Competition. The following year his watercolor, The Cockfight, was awarded first place. Nunn graduated from high school in Abilene in 1946. He entered the U.S. Army in 1947, spending several different active-duty periods and attaining the rank of Major. During this period, he did little or no painting. He was recalled to active duty in 1963 and produced no paintings during that year. In 1964 he was again released from the army and at that time committed himself to becoming a professional artist. Between 1964 and 1967, Nunn searched for a personal style and philosophy of painting, during which time he destroyed many of the paintings he produced. In 1969 Nunn moved to Palestine, Texas, where he set up a studio called The Foundry and continued painting. Nunn moved again in 1980 to his new Morningtown Studio east of Palestine, where he began to create lithographs in addition to paintings. |
Caption |
The Elysian Fields |
Collection |
TMA |
Cataloged by |
Bellatti, Brant |
Credit Line |
Gift of the family of Robert Arms |
Source |
Kay Arms |