Collection of Arthur B. Kouwenhoven, Jr. John Wesley (New York/California, b. 1928), Birth, Acrylic on Canvas, 1968, signed, titled and dated "1968" on back of canvas, and identification sticker on lower corner of stretcher, depicting a reclining Donald Duck, in a silvered and painted shadowbox Julius Lowy frame. Frame size 17 in. height x 39 1/2 in. width. Together with bills of sale and letter of authenticity on Arden Anderson's letterhead, both dated Oct. 11th 1969 and book and printed materials from Wesley's exhibition 'The Bumsteads' at Fredericks & Freiser. Wesley became prominent in the early sixties creating images of traditional emblems, historical figures, comic book personalities, animals, sexy women, athletes and showgirls into surreal daydreams. Wesley is known for his pastel palette, his use of painted "frames" within his pictures, his early emblem paintings, his cartoon Bumstead paintings, and "ultimately for his representations of an inner erotic voyage where we are both the voyager and the voyeur." Using tracing paper and stock photographs, Wesley's colorful and figurative style reflects the "flat" world of comics and posters. (Source: askart.com) Wesley was exhibited by Abrams Original Editions at Bernard Danenberg Contemporaries along with Anuszkiexicz, Arman, Calder, Christo, Frankenthaler, Marisol, Milne, Nevelson, Steinberg and Vasarely. Provenance This work was purchased from Arden K. Anderson Gallery in 1968.