(North Carolina, 1915-1997) Winter Day (Wilmington, NC), 1945, signed lower right "Claude Howell '45" and signed and inscribed on stretcher, oil on canvas, 18 x 22 in.; original painted wood frame,. Condition: some rubbing from frame at edges otherwise good condition, painting verso; frame with abrasions. Notes: This lot is accompanied by a signed letter from Claude Howell dated September 4, 1972, listing the title and exhibition history. A native of Wilmington, NC, Claude Howell's artistic career spanned seven decades and culminated in international recognition of his place not only as an interpreter of the people and landscape of coastal North Carolina, but as an important contributor to 20th century American art. He began his art studies under Elisabeth Chant in Wilmington, NC but with the great Depression he took a job as a stenographer with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and stayed for over 20 years. His summers were spent in study at the most recognizable art school of Maine, Massachusettes and New York. He traveled to Paris with friend and fellow painter Robert Gwathmey. While he absorbed national and international trends, his real focus was the fishing boats and beach culture of his home town. As Wilmington grew and changed, his work reflected the shift from small town to affluent vacation destination. Howell is remembered as a prolific creator, as an educator, having founded and directed the art program at UNC-Wilmington and the first "Tarheel" to show his work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Exhibited: 1947 One Man Show, Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, North Carolina 1948 One Man Show, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, The Book Shop, Wilmington, North Carolina North Carolina State Art Gallery, Raleigh, North Carolina Person Hall Gallery, UNC Chapel Hill, North Carolina Greenville Arts Center, Greenville, North Carolina 1949 One Man Show, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia 1951 The Book Shop, Wilmington, North Carolina 1952 Perry James, Wilmington, North Carolina St. John's Gallery, Wilmington, North Carolina 1972 St John’s Art Gallery, Wilmington, North Carolina. Provenance: Purchased from the artist (Howell #1174) by Mrs. Robert S. (Caroline) Milner, Wilmington, North Carolina, former Director of St. John's Art Gallery and friend of the artist; By descent in family some rubbing from frame at edges otherwise good condition, painting verso; frame with abrasions