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8/2/2006

Carl Hugo Beetz

Fine Arts Building Gallery, Los Angeles

Carl Hugo Beetz

American Regionalist: 17 Selected Drawings

Presented by Papillon Gallery - Los Angeles

American Regionalist Carl Hugo Beetz (1911- 1974) produced gritty, impassioned and naturalistic images of the Depression Era. Heavily influenced by the Ashcan School, Beetz’s works explore his enduring attraction to the lower echelons of society and the world of sport. His charcoal drawings provide rare and intimate glimpses into the rivalries and murky alliances of the racetrack, pool hall, boxing ring and cabaret.

Beetz employed a mixed-media technique that included watercolor, gouache, ink, charcoal, pencil - even scratches on the surface of the paper. The combination of superb technique and unconventional, yet quintessentially American subject matter makes this collection a treasure of unique significance.

Born in San Francisco in 1911, Beetz began his formal art studies at the California School of Fine Arts in 1929 under the direction of Spencer Macky. The following year he moved to New York City to study with Grant Reynard at the Grand Central Art School. He subsequently transferred to the Art Students’ League, where he studied under George Bridgeman. Upon returning to California in 1931 he continued his studies at the Chouinard Art Institute with Pruett Carter. At Chouinard (where he later became a member of the faculty) he met and befriended some of the most influential artists of the California School - including Millard Sheets, Phil Paradise, Phil Dike and Paul Sample.

Beetz first exhibited his work in 1937 at the Los Angeles County Fair, alongside Arthur B. Davies, Edward Hopper, Reginald Marsh, Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton. He subsequently exhibited in San Francisco, Oakland, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York.

Four of Beetz’ works were included in a major exhibition of California watercolorists at the Santa Barbara Museum in 1988. He is listed in every reference book on California and American artists.

Fine Arts Building Gallery
The Fine Arts Building is a Los Angeles Historical-Cultural Monument. Designed by Walker and Eisen, the building dates from 1927. Restored and renovated in 1983, it features a spectacular facade and Renaissance revival lobby with a galleried mezzanine. A series of beautiful glass display cases house the exhibition. The gallery hosts shows by a variety of artists and is available for private events.

Papillon Gallery
Established in 1972, Papillon Gallery has occupied an important niche in the Los Angeles art scene for more than three decades. The gallery specializes in European and American Modernist figurative paintings and sculpture from 1890-1950. The gallery principals, Martin Wolpert and Jeffrey Winter, are the authors of two books, “Modern Figurative Paintings: The Paris Connection", and the forthcoming “Figurative Paintings: Paris and the Modern Spirit", both published by Schiffer books. The gallery maintains a partnership with the Fine Arts Building Gallery in downtown Los Angeles, where it displays monthly exhibitions showcasing significant works of European and American Modernism.

Image: Carl Hugo Beetz c. 1938, "Weighing In", Charcoal Drawing, Signed American, 11 x 12 inches.

Downtown Art Walk Reception: Thursday, February 9, 2006, 5-9pm

Fine Arts Building Gallery, Los Angeles
811 West Seventh Street - Los Angeles
Public hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm
Valet Parking Available, $5.50

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