Collectors will be offered a compelling glimpse into the diverse artistic expressions of both American and European modernists during the exhibition Universal Dreams: Modernism in Oil, Paper and Bronze at Helicline Fine Art. The digital show features paintings, works on paper and sculpture—spanning realism, abstraction, art deco, regionalism, caricature, WPA-era mural studies, American Scene painting and Vorticism—highlighting the evolution of modernist thought and reflecting the artistic shifts that defined the early-to-mid 20th century.
Arthur Dove (1880-1946), Through the Trees, 1938. Watercolor on paper, 5 x 7 in., signed lower center.
“It captures the energy, diversity and evolution of 20th-century modernist art,” gallerist Keith Sherman says. “By presenting a wide-ranging selection of fine art, the exhibition highlights the interplay between artistic movements, social change and cultural identity. The inclusion of both American and European modernists allows for a dynamic exploration of how artists across different areas of the globe responded to the modern age, whether through realism, abstraction, American Scene, caricature, mural studies and more.”
Max Arthur Cohn (1903-1998), 6th Avenue El at 8th Street, ca. 1930. Watercolor, 13 x 18 in., signed lower left.
Artists represented in the show include Arthur Dove, Sybil Andrews, Tony Bennett, Charles Biederman, Isabel Bishop, Syd Browne, Jo Cain, Daniel Celentano, James Daugherty, Seymour Fogel, Ernest Fiene, Joseph Freedlander, Juanita Guccione, Bernard Gussow and Agnes Hart, among many others.
“Arthur Dove’s Through the Trees is emblematic of his best work,” Sherman says of the artist’s 1938 watercolor on paper. “The drawing has a solid provenance. From the artist’s studio in 1938 it was sold at American Place Gallery, then to the William Zierler Gallery and subsequently to the Andrew Crispo Gallery in 1976. A letter from Crispo details all of the above. The tightly composed drawing has vibrant colors.”
Al Hirschfeld (1903-2003), Gwen Verdon in Redhead. Ink on board, 14½ x 19 in., signed lower right: ‘Hirschfeld, Philadelphia’
WPA artist Max Arthur Cohn captured the electric energy of New York City, where he grew up.
“6th Avenue El at 8th Street, created in the 1930s, shows a long lost moment of the El (elevated subway), before it was torn down in 1955,” Sherman comments. “People were climbing stairs and crossing the street while avoiding cars in Greenwich Village. It’s an iconic NYC moment.”
Bernard Gussow (1881-1957), Morning Beneath the EL. Oil on canvas, 24¼ x 30 in., signed lower left.
Universal Dreams will be on view April 24 through June 26 on Helicline Fine Art’s website as well as Artsy.net and 1stDibs.com. “The exhibition’s digital-first approach also makes it uniquely accessible, inviting audiences worldwide to engage with these transformative works,” Sherman adds. “This blend of historical significance, stylistic variety and broad accessibility makes Universal Dreams a vital and enriching exhibition.” Collectors can also schedule an in-person experience by appointment at Helicline Fine Art’s Midtown Manhattan gallery. —
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