Children Painting
Blatas, Arbit
about 1940–44
Artwork Information
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Title:
Children Painting
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Artist:
Blatas, Arbit
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Artist Bio:
American, 1908–1999
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Date:
about 1940–44
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Medium:
Oil on canvas
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Dimensions:
26 x 32 in.
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Credit Line:
Wichita Art Museum, Roland P. Murdock Collection
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Object Number:
M52.44
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Display:
Not Currently on Display
About the Artwork
The following was written by Elizabeth Navas for the press release following the purchase of Children Painting:
The young painter, Blatas, has achieved definite recognition as an artist and particularly for his portraits of children, which have an especial appeal in their directness and tender interpretation of childhood. The subject of this picture is his small daughter and a friend. The children were busily engaged with their brushes and paints when suddenly the light changed because of the rapid approach of a storm.
Blatas’ attention was caught by the peculiar greenish light surrounding the children, so busily engaged in their pursuit, they were completely unconscious of the approaching storm. To the sensitive mind of the artist, the moment had a peculiar significance and impressed him to the extent that he wished to embody it on canvas.