Original Norman Lewis "Winter Games" 1948 painting Newly discovered unknown painting from Willard Gallery Start Price USD 2,500.00 Current Price USD 11,100.00 Time Left - Bid Count 5 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, August 24, 2008 End Time Wednesday, September 03, 2008 Location Voorhees, New Jersey See more about 'Original Norman Lewis "Winter Games" 1948 painting' Description You are bidding on a previously unknown/unpublished work of art by Norman Lewis, a well known expressionist / impressionist from the 1940-1960's period of African American artwork.  I am offering this painting for sale on behalf of my sister-in-law who found it hanging on the wall of her recently deceased mother-in-law's home in northern New Jersey.  The painting is labeled on the back "Norman Lewis, Winter Games, 1948, 14" x 18", No. 1855, Willard Gallery, 32 East 57th St, New York City".  As you can see, the painting itself is black on white and I have been told (by those that can visualize impressionistic work better than I can) that it depicts various winter sports including skiing, mountain climbing, rivers, etc.  The painting appears to be oil on a thin compressed fiber board, measuring 14" x 18", as the label depicts.  The old wooden frame surrounding it is about 3" wide and is/was painted black (peeling in certain areas).  The condition of the painting itself confirms that it has been displayed for 50+ years and exposed to the smoke of the deceased owner's countless cigarettes (i.e. refer to the yellowing shown in the pictures - some of the original white board can be seen under the frame edges).  In addition there are at least two locations on the painting where something has hit it (kids throwing toys around the room years ago?) where there is a small peeled-off piece of the oil paint missing (both nicks are smaller then 1/2" in size - see one photo for the small exposed backboard / dark area shown).  A photo of the lower right hand corner of the painting is shown below - if there is a signature there it is hard to see.  There's also a second photo showing the upper backside of the painting board where the name "James" is signed - some assume this might be the person that framed it?  Can anyone confirm seeing this name on other Willard Gallery Norman Lewis frames? The history of the painting is this, as told to me by the family that now owns it -->  Mother-in-law Sylvia was a budding amateur female artist in the 1940s and she attended an art school in New York City for many years.  She befriended a black artist there, Norman Lewis, and took various lessons from him.  The friendship was close enough that when she later got married Norman gave her this painting as a wedding gift.  It then hung in a central location on her living room wall for 50+ years until her death in 2007.  During our clean-out of the house I was given the task of researching the painting and offering it for sale on behalf of her heirs.  The only clean-up of the painting to date has been the removal of the thick bed of cobwebs that was covering it's backside when we took it down from the wall. Being exposed and unprotected for the past 50 yrs the painting does have "environmental damage" that it would need to be restored prior to officialy displaying it in a gallery or consigning it.  As the family does not wish to expend any cash to perform this work we are instead listing it here on eBay in "as-found" condition.  With conservation we have been told it would be worth in between $ 5,000 and $ 10,000 to a collector of Norman's work.  The starting bid is therefore very reasonable we beleive.... The painting is currently here in southern NJ (Cherry Hill area) and if a SERIOUS bidder is interested in more closely inspecting it at my home please feel free to email me.  In addition, I work in the New Castle DE area and would be willing to have those local to that area visit me there also. You'll note that I have been an eBayer since the beginning (1999) and have never had a problem with any items I have sold.  The painting listed here appears to be a real "hidden gem" to those that collect Norman Lewis' work.   I have looked all over the web, and in countless books, and have not seen this "Winter Games" painting ever listed.  Apparently it was on display at the now defunct Willard Gallery (where Lewis displayed / sold alot of his early works) and he probably pulled it off the wall when he decided to gift it to Sylvia... Good luck on bidding.  Shipping will be at buyers actual cost (including insurance) - assume at least $ 25 for continental USA locations. Place a Bid!