GEORGE GROSZ (1893-1959) New York, Midtown Manhattan 14 5/8 x 21 3/4 in (37.1 x 55.2 cm) (Execut...

GEORGE GROSZ (1893-1959) New York, Midtown Manhattan signed 'Grosz' (lower right) watercolor on paper 14 5/8 x 21 3/4 in (37.1 x 55.2 cm) Executed in 1950 Footnotes: The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by Ralph Jentsch. This work will be included in the forthcoming George Grosz catalogue raisonné of works on paper, currently being prepared. Provenance Carl and Lucy Frucht Collection, New England (acquired from the artist). Thence by descent to the present owner. George Grosz began executing watercolors of New York places and street scenes by 1932 when he first came to the city to teach at the Art Students League. He was overwhelmed to finally be in the country he had dreamed about since his childhood and live in a city that reminded him in a way of his home metropolis Berlin and yet was so new and different to him. Grosz had left Berlin with a heavy heart, however thanks to his work and reputation he was already well known in New York when he settled there in 1933. Major figures in American public life and society were already familiar with Grosz and his work, journalist and successful Hollywood scriptwriter Ben Hecht, for example, had met Grosz previously in 1919 Berlin. That same year, the writer John Dos Passos had come across books by Grosz, and Ernest Hemingway in Paris and even possessed a number of watercolors by him before Grosz had even moved to New York. In fact, with his move to America, Grosz embarked on a new artistic journey, becoming one of the most important living American artists. The skyline Grosz chose to highlight showcases the iconic midtown Manhattan with landmarks of the Chrysler and Empire State Building. It is remarkable that Grosz executed this work totally with the brushwork of watercolor, working wet into wet, showing in this way his excellent mastery of watercolor technique, choosing to even sign the work with the same brush. Excerpted text by Ralph Jentsch. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing