African American Artist Charles Bohannah (1910- 1985) oil painting, Portrait

This striking oil painting, titled “Sun and Shade,” is a powerful portrait of a woman in profile, her features bathed in warm, golden light while shadows gently sculpt her form. Her closed eyes and peaceful expression exude serenity, while Bohannah’s use of dramatic chiaroscuro enhances the emotional intensity of the piece.

Painted by listed African-American artist Charles Bohannah, the work reflects the depth and sensitivity that earned him critical acclaim throughout his career. The brushwork is expressive yet refined, capturing both the physical likeness and the inner essence of the sitter.

🖋️ Artist Signature: Signed in the lower left corner
🖼️ Frame: Beautiful carved vintage wood frame with gilded accents
📏 Framed Size: 23.5″ x 19.5″
📏 Canvas Size: 20″ x 16″
✔️ Condition: Excellent painting condition; minor expected age wear to the frame
📚 Provenance: From a private U.S. collection

About the Artist – Charles Bohannah (1910–1985)

Charles Bohannah, a native New Yorker, was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1910. His artistic journey began early—he developed his talent during high school and went on to enroll at the Cooper Union School of Art, one of the most prestigious art institutions in the country. Around the same time, Bohannah also joined the Art Students League, where he further honed his skills in painting and drawing.

In the early stages of his career, Bohannah gained experience working on "wash drawings" for magazines. He received his first significant public recognition with a scholarship award from an exhibition held at the Roak Art Museum in New York, a moment that propelled his path forward.

With the onset of World War II, Bohannah paused his fine art pursuits to contribute to the war effort by attending the Bell Signal Corps School of Radio. During the war, he also explored photography as a form of self-expression, working in both black and white and color formats.

After the war, Bohannah returned to painting, producing figurative, landscape, and still life works in oil that demonstrated his deep emotional resonance and technical prowess.

In 1976, he had a major solo exhibition at the Humanities Gallery of Long Island University, as well as at the Community Gallery of the Brooklyn Museum. His work caught the attention of Nelson A. Rockefeller, then-Governor of New York State, who began collecting Bohannah’s paintings in 1977.

For eleven years, Charles Bohannah was a regular exhibitor at the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibition, where he received multiple awards for his contributions. Over time, his works entered both private and public collections, and he is now widely recognized as an important figure in the history of African-American art of the 20th century.

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