PAULETTE VICTORINE J. VAN ROEKENS (AMERICAN 1896-1988) "GIRARD TRUST BUILDING: THIRD LIBERTY LOAN, 1918"

Provenance: Schwarz Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Acquired directly from the above in 2014.

Collection of Dorrance H. Hamilton.

NOTE

Born in France, Paulette van Roekens is best known as an important member of the Pennsylvania Impressionists. She attended Moore College of Art and Design (then called Philadelphia School of Design for Women) and later became a professor there for nearly forty years. She also trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, as well as the Graphic Sketch Club of Philadelphia where she studied sculpture. She and her husband, Arthur Meltzer (1893-1989), another well known Pennsylvania Impressionist, lived and worked in Philadelphia and its suburbs for most of their lifetime. While her style is highly influenced by Impressionism, she also relied heavily on her academic training, particularly drawing. Van Roekens worked in multiple media, but is best known for her oils and pastels. In her early career, she concentrated on still lifes, but as she developed her style over the years, she turned more toward landscapes.

The present lot depicts the Third Liberty Loan parade in 1918 as it passes the corner of South Broad and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. During World War I, the United States borrowed monies from Americans, issuing bonds through the Treasury Department, the collection of which were called 'Liberty Loan Campaigns.' The country amassed much of the funding for the war through these campaigns, using the money to supply and distribute troops and equipment. Parades such as these were joyful and celebratory displays well received by Philadelphians. The east side of the Girard Trust Corn Exchange Bank is shown here. Built between 1905 and 1908, it exemplifies the Classical Revival style meant to emulate the architecture of the Pantheon in Rome.