Description
The Paynes, Edgar & Elsie: American Artists
Author: Rena Neumann Coen
Publisher: Derus Fine Art Books, 1988
Among California artists, Edgar Alwin Payne and his wife, Elsie Palmer Payne, have been accorded unequal recognition. Each created a body of work that is distinct, original, and thoroughly professional, yet Edgar earned for himself an established place as a leader of the California landscape painters while his wife’s work has been largely ignored.
Here is the first fully rounded story of both the Paynes, providing a revealing analysis of their contributions to art, and placing them in the context of the art of this century. It is based on recent research and family records, and provides not only better understanding of their lives and work, but a sound basis for further study and evaluation. From the records of thousands of pages of notes, transcriptions, clippings, photos and son on, Dr. Coen has appropriately abstracted and focused the essential points of their joint and separate careers. Readers will find perceptive details illuminating their lives and the art work of these two artists, intimately bound together yet distinctly separate in their artistic expression.