Title: Five Musicians

Artist: Gordon Steele

Medium: Oil on Wood Panel

Dimensions: 46 x 102 cm (18.1 x 40.2 in)

Condition Report: Overall good condition.

Description: "Five Musicians" is an expressive composition featuring five men, all dressed in suits, engaged in playing saxophones. The artist employs warm hues to depict the portraits of the musicians, which stand in striking contrast to the cool, bright blue background. This contrast not only highlights the figures but also creates a dynamic visual interplay between the subjects and their surroundings. The vibrant energy of the musicians is captured through the use of bold, warm colors, while the cool tones of the background lend a sense of balance and harmony to the overall composition. The painting exudes a lively yet sophisticated atmosphere, echoing the rhythm and harmony of the music being played.

About the Artist:
Gordon Steele had a prolific career as an artist in upstate New York and New England, a legacy that is lesser-known to the broader public. His early career included training with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and exhibiting at notable institutions such as the Springfield Art League, the Smith Museum, and the Wadsworth Athenaeum. Steele became involved with the Federal Art Project in 1936, marking a significant phase in his career. He continued to work as an artist intermittently, eventually settling in Syracuse in 1945 after accepting a position as art director at John Flack Studios.