WORK OF THE WEEK: Rendez Vous by Maarten Platje

Maarten Platje

Rendez Vous, 2015

Oil on canvas

27 5/8 x 35 1/2 inches

Cavalier Galleries presents a masterful new painting by Dutch maritime artist Maarten Platje. This painting depicts the schooner Varuna, a vessel with an outstanding career as a pilot ship.  The history of regular pilotage in American ports is old but obscure. In the early years pilots were not organized as a body under government of local control. In 1783 a law was passed in Boston authorizing the Governor with the advice of his council to “appoint suitable persons as pilot for various ports in the Commonwealth”. Many boats were not built with pilot service in mind.  During the famous Portland Gale in November 1898 the Varuna was one of the lucky survivors. She had just departed Boston when the terrible storm struck. The captain managed to get offshore to ride out the storm, although the ship barely cleared the shoals of Cape Cod. The scene of this painting features the Varuna approaching the full-rigged merchant ship Dawpool heading for Boston Harbour in the year 1893. Maarten Platje was born in The Netherlands in 1967 and studied at Ars Aemula Naturae Art Academy in Leiden. After his studies Platje spent part of his youth as a sailor before devoting himself to the painting of ships. In 1996 Platje was officially invited by the Royal Dutch Navy to embark on a frigate during NATO operations in the Mediterranean waters around the former Yugoslavia. He followed in the steps of the famous Dutch marine painter Willem van de Velde (1611-1693), the official artist for the Dutch Fleet in his time. This resulted in a series of paintings illustrating various naval operations. The paintings are on a permanent display at the Naval Museum in Den Helder and at the Museum of the Marine Corps of the Royal Netherlands Navy in Rotterdam. Platje’s marine paintings are carefully-orchestrated compositions created from an assembly of old pictures, drawings and ship models discovered at antique stores or placed at his disposal from private collections.   Contact us with inquiries about this work: 203.869.3664 or art@cavaliergalleries.com

WORK OF THE WEEK: WIN WIN by Jim Rennert

Jim Rennert (b. 1958) 

Win Win

2014, edition of 9

Bronze and steel 

12 1/2 x 16 x 8 inches

Cavalier Galleries is pleased to introduce "Win Win", the newest work of renowned artist Jim Rennert. This sculpture features Rennert's signature businessman figures closing a deal with a handshake.  The themes of competitiveness, challenge, leadership and aspiration made famous by Rennert’s iconic sculptures such as THINK BIG are exemplified in this work. Jim Rennert worked in business for several years before be began creating sculpture, and his artwork often draws on both the successes and challenges that he faced.  Looking at various aspects of business life, Rennert presents the contemporary businessman's daily struggle with himself and others with his engaging and charismatic sculptures. Rennert’s work can be found in numerous private and public collections, including the current exhibitions of his monumental sculpture, THINK BIG and Perspective in NYC's Union Square Park.  These public exhibitions in cooperation with NYC Parks and the NYDOT are on view this spring until May 2015.   Contact us with inquiries about this work: 203.869.3664 or art@cavaliergalleries.com

WORK OF THE WEEK: "What is Often Kept Secret" by John Joseph Hanright

John Joseph Hanright

What is Often Kept Secret

Mixed media on panel, 48 x 48 inches

Contemporary Pop Artist John Joseph Hanright creates mixed media works that imaginatively explore imagery and concepts of American life.  Incorporating ephemera from his extensive collection of 1940-1960’s vintage publications, Hanright’s work is layered with collage, text and paint which are composed to tell a story. His work is meant to engage the viewer and allow them to impart their own interpretation of the composition.

As Hanright explains, ''my work is thought provoking, sometimes sexy and inspired by experience and visuals lost and found. This mixing of imagery and symbols in paint and mixed media combine to form pieces with a twist and discovery. The art can be a combination of conceptual art, American Art, pop culture and derived from life in the 50's to present day. I present bold imagery with subtleties and simplicity to contradict and poke fun. My engagement in my work is with thought, energy and impulsive risks.''

This painting will be featured at our upcoming exhibition in the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, open March 19-22 at Piers 92 & 94 in New York City. Click HERE for more information about the Architectural Digest show. 

Contact us with inquiries about this work: 203.869.3664 or art@cavaliergalleries.com

Introducing Cavalier Galleries featured WORK OF THE WEEK: Red Shoes at Holi Festival by Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry

Red Shoes at Holi Festival

Fuji Crystal Film

Available sizes: 

40 x 60 inches

30 x 40 inches

20 x 24 inches

Celebrated documentary photographer, Steve McCurry, captured this image during the Holi festival in India. Holi is an ancient Hindu spring festival celebrated at the approach of the vernal equinox on the full moon. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships. Known for its vibrant colors festival participants hurl brightly colored, perfumed powders and water at one another – anyone is considered fair game regardless of gender, class or age. An exuberant riot of color takes place in streets, parks, outside temples and buildings with groups carrying drums and musical instruments.

It was in India that McCurry first learned to watch and wait on life. If you wait, he realized, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view. In this photograph we can feel the soul of the festival and imagine ourselves stepping into these beautifully pigment cloaked shoes, stopping for a moment amid the dancing, music, and fellow revelers to consider all that has come to pass and soak up the universal human excitement for the new beginnings we are offered each spring. 

The Holi festival was celebrated on March 6^th of this year and we welcome the official first day of spring on March 20^th. 

Artist Daniel Greene Featured in WAG Magazine

Lot 143 - Diebenkorn

Renown New York artist Daniel Greene has been featured in the most recent issue of WAG Magazine. The article can be found both in the print magazine and online.

To read the article online click here.

A selection of paintings and pastels currently available by Daniel Greene can be found on the Cavalier Galleries website or by visiting one of our galleries.

Wall Street Pillar 

Gourds & Bricks

Imari Vase