Springtime by Zula Kenyon

This is a colored lithograph by American artist Zula Kenyon (1873-1947). Kenyon was born in Wisconsin but moved to Chicago where she studied at the Art Institute or Chicago. She then worked as an illustrator with the Gerlach Barklow Company. She was very prolific and produced pastels for the company. These were very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. The subjects were very traditional including landscapes, sunset, lakes, children, still life, and flowers. Only a few of the many pastel artists working were actually known, with Kenyon being one. Some of the more popular pastels were also issued as lithographs. That is the case with this piece, titled Springtime. The scene shows a calm river flowing through field and forest. The trees are still mostly bare, but wildflowers are beginning to appear in the foreground heralding the arrival of spring. It is signed in the plate --Zula Kenyon-- lower right. The piece is unframed and is 15 1/4 x 5 3/8 inches in size. It is in good condition for its age. The print is probably faded and there is some slight paper loss in the top center. Still a fine antique piece by this popular artist of the time.