Cyrus Leroy Baldridge, Chinese New Year – Original Painting

Notes: Signed in black ink: "Baldridge". An endearing original pastel drawing of a mother and child during a Chinese New Year's celebration. Provenance: Alice Gunter of Carlsbad, New Mexico; acquired directly from the artist. During the entire span of her collecting, Ms. Gunter accumulated nearly 400 works by the artist. This original work was conceived during his extended period in China, that brought him in contact with notable locations throughout the region. Baldridge's long and deep experience with many cultures placed him in line for important commissions. He illustrated numerous books and articles with oriental themes, including a Chinese album of monotypes in the journal Asia. In the 1940s, his style of painting ranged over every possible theme, while primarily sketching in colored charcoal and watercolors. After his excursions, Baldridge would return to his studio and complete his sketches with oils. A large number of these later works now reside in the collection of the University of Wyoming.