Lot 292
Otis Kaye: Rare Oil On Canvas by Acclaimed and Celebrated Artist, Trompe L'oeil Master Using Currency as a Recurring Theme. Otis Kaye (1885-1974) Otis Kaye is known for Trompe l'oeil still life-currency, genre painting with his works in the finest private and public showcases.
Born in Michigan, Otis Kaye is considered the last of the trompe l'oeil (French term for "trick" or "fool the eye") still life painters, recognized primarily for his skill with American currency. At that time, the early part of the 20th century, people were highly interested in this subject matter because the Federal Government was just beginning to print uniform money, replacing that which individual banks issued. Kaye was also an etcher and did exquisitely detailed drawings of birds, insects and animals.
There are countless articles on the internet regarding Otis Kaye with many generated by a very large number of exhibitions of his works in museums world wide.
Further, his more elaborate pieces in recent years have commanded tens of thousands to several hundreds of thousands for his work.
Original oil on canvas appears to be painted on wood paneling. (The effect is remarkable.) Work boasts eight examples of late 19th early 20th Century US Currency as if randomly affixed to a wall. There is a partial cover to the lower left postmarked March 12, 1904 and addressed to Mrs. L. Hopkins, Chicago, Illinois. This was not uncommon for Kaye to use acquaintances during his time in Illinois and incorporate them in his work.
Likely a work from early in his career, painting is unsigned (not unusual) with original stretcher and modest, but very likely original frame. There is possibly a stress repair on verso due to the presence of a dime sized dopple of adhesive, but in no way was the image impacted.
Painting is 14 x 22" and framed to 18½ x 26½". Also included are several articles that appeared in Coin World from years past. Estimated Value $5,000 - UP
From The Private Collection of Ira Goldberg; Ex Abe Kosoff.
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