Early 20th Century "Portrait of Wilda Leiner" Oil Painting

Description

A beautiful portrait of a woman named Wilda Leiner, a pianist (1908-1994) by longtime Santa Cruz, CA resident Cor de … more A beautiful portrait of a woman named Wilda Leiner, a pianist (1908-1994) by longtime Santa Cruz, CA resident Cor de Gavere. Signed "Cor de Gavere" lower right. Provenance listed on verso. Unframed. Image, 18"H x 16"L. Cor de Gavere was born in Java, became orphaned at age six, and then raised by an aunt and uncle in north Holland. From an early age, she showed interest in drawing and painting. At the age of 30, she began studies at the Royal Academy of the Hague, and devoted herself wholly to her art. At the age of 43, she moved to Santa Cruz, CA with her friend Wilhelmina Von Tonningen, whose brother lived in the area. From this time on, Cor was a prolific painter and found a warm, welcoming community among the Dutch expats living in the area. Cor was one of three women who were the foundation of the Santa Cruz Art League from the 1920s through the 1940s. While visiting family in Holland in 1955, Cor died peacefully. Biography information taken from Santa Cruz Public Library publication "Cor de Gavere: Paintings and Drawings." less