PBA Galleries

Oil on board, framed. 30.3x45 cm (12x17¾"). The lot also includes:

• 3 signed portfolios of color reproductions of Kenneth Jack artwork. Each published by Australian Artist Editions. Includes: Folio Nos. 1, 3 & 4. Each comprised of 10 or 12 color repros, housed in the publisher's folder. Each folder is signed and dated 1981 by the artist.

A nice original oil painting of Tor House, the home built by Robinson Jeffers, painted in a muted brown color palette, with some orange and yellow. The iconic home is made of stone, and nestled on a grassy corner of a dirt road. Painted by the Australian artist Kenneth Jack (1924-2006), signed. With a note card of Marlan Beilke glued to verso (of Sutter Creek, CA), inscribed and signed with a message from the artist and his wife Betty, thanking Marlan for his hospitality during their visit to the U.S.A., the card's note is dated 1979. Accompanying the Kenneth Jack painting of Tor House is a 2 page typewritten letter of provenance by Bielke,  the owner of the painting, friend of the artist and the person who commissioned the painting directly from Kenneth Jack. He explains in detail how the two met, and how he asked Jack to do this piece of art, supplying him with color slides of Tor House as well as an Edward Weston portrait of Jeffers in front of Tor House, all of which the artist used to create the work. Also included are two holograph letters of 1969 written by Kenneth Jack from Australia to Marlan Bielke, the first from February of 1969 where he acknowledges that Beilke will send him photos of Tor House to work from and the other dated in March stating that the painting is finished and he is wrapping it for shipping, and concerned that customs will open it and might not get it back in safely. He tells of some details in the picture and both are warm and friendly letters.