Ted Grohs
Curtiss SOC-1 Observation Navy Seaplane
American: 1940
Gouache on illustration board
Titled as above verso, signed and dated lower right: TED GROHS, L.A., 40
10.25 x 13.25 inches
$450

Original precisely rendered study of a sunlit flying seaplane, having United States flag painted design at the rear. The perspective is a bird's-eye view along a beach coastline. The artist has employed opaque white against the golden-toned board to striking effect, and the shadows and reflections are expertly rendered. The painting shows a 1935 Curtiss SOC-1 biplane, a Scout observation airplane, printed with the name U.S. Coast Guard. This plane was also used by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Ted Grohs was a native of Hemet, California. He was a Los Angeles based artist in the 1930s and 1940s, producing a series of illustrations of military aircraft for the Fuller Paint Co., among others. He also worked as a designer of airplanes, including the Learjet.

Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall toning and light wear. Faint mat burn can be rematted out.

References:

Jennings, Anne B. “2002 State of the Museum Report.” Hemet Museum. January 2004. http://www.hemetmuseum.org/newsletter.html (2 April 2004).

“Marine Corps Aircraft: 1913-1965.” 21 June 1967. Marine Corps Historical Reference Series. http://www.mcu.usmc.mil/ftw/files/air.sam (2 April 2004).