Student Artwork Guide — Sub Division

Name Class Date

Charles Surendorf, Sub Division (1939). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder.

The facts

Artist: Charles Surendorf artsdot.com/en/artists/charles-surendorf/
Artist’s dates: 1906 – 1979
Painted: 1939
Original size: 9 x 15 cm

Copyright This work is still under copyright. Charles Surendorf died in 1979; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2049. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Sub Division — Charles Surendorf

How big is it?

The original measures 9 × 15 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970

Shaded: the lifetime of Charles Surendorf (1906–1979) ▲ this work, 1939

Compare with

Mending Nets, 1942 artsdot.com/en/art/charles-surendorf-mending-nets-AQTV7X-en/
Five and Ten, 1938 artsdot.com/en/art/charles-surendorf-five-and-ten-AQTV8K-en/
Kava (Fiji), 1940 artsdot.com/en/art/charles-surendorf-kava-fiji-AQTV6X-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/charles-surendorf-sub-division-AQTV7R-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

Main colour

Rosy Brown #b4ab9d

Catalogued palette

#B4AB9D
#3A322B
#70675D
#F8F1E4

Palette: Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
Main colour name: Rosy Brown
Intensity: Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
Contrast: Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
Harmony: Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
Brightness: Bright How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
Saturation: Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

Sub Division — Charles Surendorf

The Sub Division painting by Charles Surendorf is a remarkable piece of art that showcases the artist's skill and attention to detail. Created in 1939, this black and white painting on paper measures 9 x 15 cm and is currently housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the United States.

Artistic Style and Technique

Charles Surendorf's artistic style is characterized by his use of bold lines, geometric shapes, and a limited color palette. In Sub Division, he employs a wood engraving technique on paper to create a striking image of mountains with a valley in the foreground. The snow-capped mountains give the scene a majestic appearance, while the scattered trees add to the natural beauty of the landscape.

Symbolism and Meaning

The Sub Division painting can be interpreted as a representation of nature's power and the human impact on the environment. The division between the mountains and the valley may symbolize the contrast between the natural world and human development. Light and shadow play a crucial role in this painting, creating a sense of depth and dimensionality.

Artist's Background and Other Works

Charles Surendorf was an American artist born in 1906 in Richmond, Indiana. He studied at the Art Students League in New York and later became a member of several art societies. Some of his notable works include 9000 Feet and Murder by the Mill, which can be found on AllPaintingsStore.com. These paintings demonstrate his versatility as an artist and his ability to experiment with different techniques and styles.

Sub Division is a significant work in Charles Surendorf's oeuvre, showcasing his skill in wood engraving and his attention to detail.

The painting's symbolism and meaning can be interpreted in various ways, making it a thought-provoking piece for art enthusiasts.

Smithsonian American Art Museum is one of the premier institutions showcasing American art, with a collection that includes works by Charles Surendorf and other notable artists.

For more information on Charles Surendorf and his works, visit AllPaintingsStore.com or the Smithsonian American Art Museum website.

Artist

Charles Surendorf

vita e formazione

charles frederick surendorf, pittore americano, è nato il 9 novembre 1906 a richmond, indiana. dopo essersi laureato all'ohio state university, ha proseguito gli studi presso l'art institute of chicago e l'art students league di new york city.

carriera artistica

lo stile pittorico di surendorf è caratterizzato da un approccio regionalista, spesso paragonato a quello di thomas hart benton. le sue opere e le stampe ritraggono la vita rude e movimentata del vecchio paese minerario in uno stile unico e ritmico. un esempio notevole della sua opera è the vieux capitaine (1939), esposta al smithsonian american art museum (stati uniti).

mostre ed associazioni degne di nota

museo della contea di los angeles (1936)

museo di arte di san francisco (1936-1946)

società di incisori della california (1938-1954, con premi)

esposizione internazionale della porta d'oro (1939)

museo de young (1946)

istituto di arte di chicago

accademia nazionale di design

la vita successiva e l'eredità

surendorf si stabilì nei foothills della sierra, in particolare nella città di columbia, dove co-fondò la breve scuola d'arte mother lode art school. il suo stile è noto per la sua forte palette di colori, deviando dall'approccio regionalista tradizionale. un altro esempio della sua opera, cinq et dix (1938), mostra questa caratteristica unica. collegamenti important:

riproduzioni d'arte le vieux capitaine (1939) su AllPaintingsStore.com

AllPaintingsStore.com: charles surendorf | 28 opere

conclusione

il percorso artistico di charles frederick surendorf, segnato dal suo stile regionalista e dalla sua forte palette di colori, ha lasciato un'impronta indelebile nel mondo dell'arte. la sua opera continua ad essere celebrata su AllPaintingsStore.com, offrendo uno sguardo nella vita di questo artista notevole.

Where to read more

The artist Charles Surendorf artsdot.com/en/artists/charles-surendorf/
Similar works More works to compare artsdot.com/en/art/similar/charles-surendorf-sub-division-AQTV7R-en/

Find this online

QR code linking to the download page for Sub Division

artsdot.com/en/art/download/charles-surendorf-sub-division-AQTV7R-en/

Cite this artwork

MLA: Surendorf, Charles. Sub Division. 1939, https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-surendorf-sub-division-AQTV7R-en/
APA: Surendorf, Charles (1939). Sub Division [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-surendorf-sub-division-AQTV7R-en/
Chicago: Charles Surendorf. Sub Division. 1939. https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-surendorf-sub-division-AQTV7R-en/
Harvard: Surendorf, Charles (1939) Sub Division. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/charles-surendorf-sub-division-AQTV7R-en/

Sub Division — Charles Surendorf

Look closely

Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

What catches your eye first, and why?
Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
Look back at Mending Nets (1942), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
Charles Surendorf was about 33 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

Your response

Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.