Description:

Georges Schreiber
New York / Belgium, (1904 - 1977)
Couple, 1937
mixed media on board
Signed and dated lower right. Associated American Artists, NY label verso.

Biography from Charleston Renaissance Gallery: "I don't want to be just an American with citizenship papers," Schreiber declared. "I want to completely associate myself with America" (Current Biography, p. 674). Born in Brussels, Belgium in 1904, Schreiber did precisely that and, over the course of his career, became a thoroughly American artist.

Growing up in war-torn Europe, Schreiber was profoundly impacted by the horrors he witnessed. As a family of German descent living in Belgium during the First World War, the Schreibers were scorned by their neighbors; when they later returned to Germany, however, they were despised as Belgians. "All this has made me conscious of the times I live in . . . and the people I live with. It has made me strive with passion for human understanding in my work" (Current Biography, p. 673).

Young Schreiber studied art in Belgium, at the Academy of Fine Art in Berlin and in London; related travels took him to Paris, Rome and Florence. From 1925 to 1928, he worked as a free-lance artist for German newspapers, a line of work he would continue upon his arrival in American in 1928. By 1936, he was employed with the Works Project Administration.

An inveterate traveler, Schreiber visited each of the forty-eight states in 1939. The artist would ultimately make five cross-country journeys, from New England to California, Florida to Oregon, capturing contemporary American scenes with honesty and attention to detail. Considered en masse, Schreiber's oeuvre reveals the artist to be acutely aware of the world's brutal realities and keenly attuned to the characters he portrayed so powerfully.

Schreiber exhibited his travel paintings as a Panorama of America at numerous galleries and museums across the country. "Louisiana Cotton Pickers" was featured at the Whitney Gallery in 1939, along with another Louisiana subject. That same year, the artist was represented at the New York World's Fair. Preferring rural to urban themes, Schreiber's favorite composition was a lonely type set against a simple landscape background. "I want to live these people . . . not depict them" he said. (Current Biography, p. 675).

In addition to creating these heartfelt images, Schreiber continued to work as an illustrator. He sketched the Bruno Hauptmann kidnapping trial, illustrated the book "Little Man What Now", contributed to "Life" and "Fortune" magazines, and earned wide acclaim for his caricatures. A 1936 publication entitled "Portraits and Self-Portraits" contained illustrations with short biographies of famous contemporary figures, all executed by Schreiber.

During the Second World War, the United States Navy commissioned Schreiber to create paintings to use as posters. When fellow artists criticized him for this kind of work, Schreiber replied that "art for art's sake" should be shelved for the duration of the war and voiced his approval of any medium which brought good art to great numbers of people.

Over the course of his career, Georges Schreiber exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Art Institute of Chicago, Whitney Gallery, White House Library, Library of Congress and Bibliotheque Nationale, among others. He garnered numerous awards, including the William Tuthill Prize.

  • Dimensions: 9"H x 11"W
  • Medium: mixed media on board

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Professional in house shipping services are available for items. Shipping costs will include packaging, handling, and insurance. Shipping costs are in addition to the auction purchase amount and a separate shipping invoice will be sent to you after payment of your initial invoice. A low bid purchase price does not mean shipping costs will be any less. Some items may require a third-party shipper. Please let the office know if you would like to pick up your winning bid or arrange your own shipping.

Successful bidders will receive a final invoice within 3-5 business days after the auction giving you payment and shipping details, if applicable, pertaining to the item(s) you have purchased. After payment is made your order will go to shipping. You will be sent an additional invoice that is for shipping. It will ask you to verify your address before paying by credit card. Tracking information will be sent to your email. Large items will require a third party shipper. We will work to find the best shipping solution that's right for you!

October 7, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
Indianapolis, IN, US

Ripley Auctions

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $199 $20
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 + $2,500