4: JULIA THECLA (1896-1973) MIXED MEDIA ON COLORED PAPER

Julia Thecla (1896-1973)
Group with Child on Fence (1966)
The work in tempera and pencils on blue paper is signed and dated lower left front. The title is found verso on a card from the artist's catalog.

During the second and third quarters of the 20th century, an informal collective of female artists from Illinois painted in the Surrealist and Magic Realism styles. Julia Thecla was a in this circle, along with Gertrude Abercrombie, Dorothea Tanning, Margo Hoff and Penelope Rosemont.

Ms. Thecla was possibly the most unique of this fascinating group. She's said to have conducted herself in a more bizarre manner than her counterparts, dressing like a child and keeping chickens as pets. She is said to have walked one on a leash in public through her Chicago neighborhood.

The childlike nature of her paintings with their fantastic imagery match the descriptions of her persona and manner of dress, also described as childlike.

Thecla began painting in the experimental 1930s, a period that was at the same time very challenging for the most traditional of female artists. She had her first exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1931, continuing with shows through the 1940s, and beyond. Altogether, she painted from the 1920s until about the time of this work from 1966.
Sheet measures 5.25 x 5.25 with a framed size of 12 x 11.75 inches.
Apparently the condition is very good, very clean, intact, no visible stain, damage, repair, punctures or tears. This work has not been examined outside the frame.
Provenance: Private collection, Kansas City, Missouri.
$2,000 - $3,000