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Arthur Knebel (American, 1925-2013). "On the Deck II" oil on canvas, 2001. Signed and dated at lower center. A quiet moment unfolds beneath a wide canvas umbrella, where a lone figure pauses on a sunlit wooden deck, suspended between motion and rest. In "On the Deck II," Knebel transforms an ordinary domestic scene into something gently orchestral, a composition of light, shadow, and muted color that hums rather than declares itself. The figure, loosely rendered yet unmistakably present, stands amid folding chairs and railings, her posture relaxed but attentive, as if listening to the day rather than moving through it. The painting reveals Knebel's lifelong sensitivity to rhythm and structure. Broad, confident brushstrokes establish the geometry of the deck boards and balustrade, while softer passages dissolve the surrounding landscape into tonal harmonies of green, blue, and warm wood tones. Size: 26" W x 30" H (66 cm x 76.2 cm) Light filters across the surface in carefully modulated layers, suggesting Knebel's photographic eye and his patient reworking of the canvas to achieve balance between realism and abstraction. The umbrella canopy becomes a kind of visual refrain, echoing the circular base below and anchoring the composition with calm authority. There is a quiet lyricism here that feels deeply personal. The figure is not posed for the viewer but caught in a private interval, a pause that mirrors Knebel's own contemplative approach to painting later in life. Texture plays an important role, with subtly abraded areas and softened edges that lend the surface a worn, lived-in quality, reinforcing the sense of memory and presence. Rather than dramatizing the scene, Knebel allows it to breathe, inviting the viewer to linger in the same reflective stillness. "On the Deck II" stands as a mature work from the final chapter of Knebel's career, embodying his commitment to harmony, restraint, and emotional understatement. It is a painting less about narrative than about atmosphere, a quiet chord held just long enough to resonate. About the artist: Arthur Henry Knebel Jr. was a gifted painter, photographer, and professional violist whose life intertwined the disciplines of sound, color, and light. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1925 to Arthur Henry Knebel and Margie Shafer Knebel, he grew up in a household steeped in the arts. His mother, a lecturer on modern art in the 1940s, and his father, a drafting artist, instilled in him both technical discipline and creative curiosity. Before devoting himself fully to painting in 1986, Knebel enjoyed a distinguished musical career spanning more than four decades. He performed as a violist with the Cincinnati Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Houston Symphony, and Denver Symphony orchestras, among others. After joining the Denver Musicians Association in 1964, he later taught at Metropolitan State College from 1987 to 1988. Knebel's visual art reflects his mid-century sensibilities and a deep engagement with color, light, and design. A perfectionist by nature, he sought balance between realism and abstraction, frequently reworking his canvases to achieve ideal tonal harmony. His paintings often show the influence of photography - an art form he practiced with precision, developing his own prints and manipulating negatives to control the distribution of light. When painting, he sometimes used an orbital sander on the dried surface to refine texture and form. Arthur's work was poetic both in mood and method. His subjects were often figurative, imbued with a quiet lyricism that mirrored his musical compositions. His poem "Shadow" encapsulates his introspective spirit: "My shadow is the prisoner of the sun / Xeroxed days stapled on the wall / Taller than you, smaller than me / The tricks that run this show / Are wound up like a clock / Stretched like a lie / Sent like an errand in search of a meaning / Clenched like a fist at night / My shadow." Though deeply private, Knebel exhibited occasionally, including at the Denver Art Museum and the Koelbel Library's Joan R. Duncan Gallery in Centennial, Colorado, in 2008, where he and his wife, pianist Susan Cowan Knebel, provided live music during the show. Their marriage, beginning the day after Thanksgiving in 1986, united two artists in a lifelong devotion to music and art. Arthur Knebel passed away in 2013 at the Denver Hospice Care Center. His legacy endures through his paintings, which continue to find new homes through the ongoing efforts of his estate. Donations in his memory support music education for children through the Colorado Youth Symphony, a fitting tribute to a man whose life harmonized artistry in every form. Provenance: private Shawnee, Colorado, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.) PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions. SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.) PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions. #198982