George Crionas (1925–2004), *Homage to Renoir*, 1954

Sepia etching on Arches paper; 20 x 26 cm (plate impression), framed at 37 x 41 cm, numbered in pencil 14/50, and titled and signed by the artist in pencil. Original certificate included. The work depicts, on the left, a sketch of Renoir recreated by Crionas, and on the right, a portrait of Renoir looking at his work.
George CRIONAS = Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1925, his career began almost as soon as he learned to use a pencil. When George was 13, his works were published in the Detroit News. During World War II, George designed and painted emblems and insignia for the nose section of a B-29 bomber. After moving to California in 1947, Crionas began a long period of study under the guidance of masters: Francis DeErderly, Rico Lebrun, and Howard Warshaw. To advance his career, he spent his nights drawing caricatures of many famous personalities who frequented the bars and clubs of that era. He is known for his numerous etchings, which he typically colored by hand using gouache, watercolor, and colored pencil.