Ethel Magafan Furniture
American, 1916-1993
Ethel Magafan Born Illinois, 1916
Died New York, 1993
Jenne and Ethel Magafan were identical twins, born in Chicago to a Greek immigrant father and a Polish mother. Due to health concerns about their father, the family moved to Colorado, living first in Colorado Springs and then in Denver. He was a proud supporter of their artistic ambitions but died suddenly 1932, a heavy blow to both of them. They attended East High School in Denver, where they found a mentor in their art teacher Helen Perry. She had studied at the Art Institute of Chicago but had later abandoned a career as an artist, making her all the more determined to help the Magafan twins succeed artistically.
While still in high school, the twins impressed artist Frank Mechau, and Helen Perry paid for their lessons with him. He subsequently invited them to apprentice with him at his Redstone studio. In 1936, Jenne won the Carter Memorial Art Scholarship and shared it with her sister so that they both could attend the Broadmoor Art Academy in Colorado Springs. Once they ran out of money, Mechau, now teaching there, hired them as assistants. Through their involvement at the Academy, the twins entered into careers as muralists, working at first with Mechau and then with Peppino Mangravite.
From 1937 to 1943, Ethel was commissioned to paint her first of seven government sponsored murals. Located in the US Post Office in Auburn, Nebraska, this commission made Ethel (at age 26) the youngest artist in America to receive such an honor. Denver Art Museum director Donald J. Bear once commented that “[Ethel and Jenne's] study of local detail makes them appear as little Bruegels of ranch genre – natural and unforced.”
As mural painting commissions diminished, Ethel began to do more easel painting for which she used a palette knife and tempera paints to great effect. After settling in California for five years, the twins permanently relocated to Woodstock, New York in 1945, where the sisters lived apart for the first time. Ethel developed an increasing focus within her work, particularly for horses and abstract landscapes. She met fellow artist Bruce Currie at an artist’s party, and the two were married in 1946.
The twins and their husbands went to Greece and Italy for a year when Jenne’s husband and Ethel were granted Fulbright Scholarships. Upon their return, Jenne died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage — a loss that Ethel would mourn deeply. With her sister gone, her landscapes became much more abstract, as she sought out the feeling of the scene rather than an exact representation. During the mid-fifties, she began to make annual trips to Colorado. Her stature within the art world was solidified in 1971 when the United States
©David Cook Galleries, LLCto
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
7,546
3,967
2,548
2,244
Creator: Ethel Magafan
Ethel Magafan "Evening Moon" Pen and Ink Drawing
By Ethel Magafan
Located in Garnerville, NY
Ethel Magafan (1916-1993) pen and ink sketch drawing entitled "Evening Mood". Signed lower right. Circa 1950. This piece comes from the Estate of Anton Otto Fischer after Magafan moved to Woodstock, NY where his home and studio were.
Good overall condition. Wear consistent with age and not being framed. There is obvious darkening of the paper surface due to the piece originally having an old matte surrounding the sight opening. No visible rips, tears or restorations. Soft corners and edges.
Approximately 8" wide x 6" high.
Bio:
After World War II, many people in the US were on the move, and on the advice of older artist friends in Los Angeles, Arnold Blanche...
Category
1950s American Rustic Vintage Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Paper
Related Items
Jorge Zeno Abstract Pen and Ink with Watercolor
Located in Miami, FL
Jorge Zeno Abstract Pen and Ink with Watercolor
Offered for sale is a pen and ink hand colored with watercolor by artist Jorge Zeno (US/Puerto Rico, b1956)...
Category
Late 20th Century Puerto Rican Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Linen, Glass, Wood, Paper
Desert Drawing N.001, Original Black and White Archival Ink Drawing on Hardwood
By Studio Chora
Located in Albuquerque, NM
Desert Drawing N. 001. Original drawing on hardwood, 2022. Archival black ink. Sawtooth wall hanger.
Measures: Width: 7-3/4”
Length: 10-3/4”
Depth: 0-...
Category
2010s Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Paint
H 10.75 in W 7.75 in D 0.5 in
"Byzantine Cats" Abstract Pen and Ink on Paper Signed by Don D.
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Abstract ink drawing of two cats in Byzantine era dressed cats, with different saturations of watercolor, the sun depicted in the upper right corner.
Titled " Byzantine Cats" signed...
Category
1970s American Vintage Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Paper
Italian Lake Palace Ink Drawing
Located in New York, NY
Italian Lake Palace Ink Drawing. Italian ink drawing of island palace La Casina Vanvitelliana sul Lago Fusaro. Eighteenth century ink on paper drawing in a...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Gesso, Giltwood, Paper
Suite of 26 Art Deco Nude Alphabet Pen and Ink Drawings
Located in Atlanta, GA
Suite of 26 Art Deco nude alphabet pen and ink drawings, American, circa 1930s. Perfect for an old school country club, bar, or gentleman's study. Framed in cle...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper, Glass
1970s Indian Religious Ink Drawing
Located in Marbella, ES
1970s Indian religious ink drawing. It is part of a private collection.
Category
Late 20th Century Indian Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Paper
Yasse Tabuchi Modern Ink Drawing
By Yasse Tabuchi
Located in Roma, IT
Yasse Tabuchi Modern ink drawing
Signed and dated “Tabuchi 65”
In the back “Tabuchi 1965”
Yasse Tabuchi studied art history at the University of Arts of...
Category
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Paper
Framed Pen & Pencil Drawing by M.T. Brown
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An ink and pencil landscape drawing from England signed by M.T. Brown. Recently matted and framed, this drawing has the viewer standing close to see all the well rendered details, fine lines and shading. The imagery is an interesting scene depicting cliffside mountain steps going up to a winding road shaded by cloud shaped trees leading to a mid-century hotel with a racy little car in front. This delightful drawing pairs...
Category
20th Century English Other Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Paint
Pauline Chamberlain - Six Large Framed Architectural Drawings - Signed Pen, ink
Located in Pewsey, GB
Pauline Chamberlain - A Set of Six Large Architectural Drawings circa 1915 in Pen and Ink that are highly decorative. These are all signed ...
Category
1910s American Edwardian Vintage Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Paper, Crayon
H 31.5 in W 26.38 in D 1.38 in
John Barrymore in Hamlet, Ink and Watercolor Drawing Portrait
Located in Pasadena, CA
The depiction of theatrical characters in the visual arts has long been a means of exploring the depths of human emotion and identity. In this black and white profile portrait of Joh...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Paper
Original Pen & Pencil Drawing Finn Juhl, 1952
By Finn Juhl
Located in London, GB
This is an example of a hand-drawn scaled drawing of the ‘Top of New Dining Table (DRW.79)’, 17th December 1952. The drawings depicts the top view of what seems to be a ‘simplified’ version of Finn Juhl’s Silver Table, or more commonly known as the ‘Judas Table...
Category
1950s Danish Modern Vintage Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Paper
Middle Eastern Pen & Ink Drawing On Paper
Located in Chicago, IL
Pen and ink drawing on paper depicting Middle Eastern musicians and horse in a dream like sequence, signed. Distressed wood frame measurements 31.25" H x 13" W x 1" D
Category
1960s Vintage Ethel Magafan Furniture
Materials
Pen
Ethel Magafan furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Ethel Magafan furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs.