At auction recently were a scattering of watercolors by an artist whose name I had come across before. They were primarily paintings of women and outdoor scenes. I also saw an old-style oil of a couple with child in a horse and buggy, painted from the back.
Her works keep appearing, and I have no idea who she was. I was familiar with her name – but not much with her works – because I had bought an oil painting of hers at the same auction house a year or so ago. Her name was Helen S. Barth. The piece I bought was of a young black boy selling paper bags for 5 cents on the street.
Most of the Barth artwork at this auction were of white women. I was drawn to the piece I bought because of the ethnicity of the boy – untattered and neat – and the pride in his stance and stare.
On the back were the handwritten title, her name, address and the date. The artwork was simply called “Bag Boy” and was painted 12-18-53.
When the auctioneer began the bidding on Barth’s latest pieces, he said that she was a well-known artist whom you could find on the internet. Well, I had tried to find out information about her before and couldn’t. I tried again, and her name still did not come up. I’ve discovered some interesting artists at auction, including a Southern folk artist named M.C. 5 Cent Jones, and have gotten some magnificent buys. Auctions are a great place to look for inexpensive pieces of art.
Who was Helen S. Barth? Was she like the thousands of other local artists in communities across the country who painted in obscurity – and still do? Ones who create because it’s in their blood and they just can’t seem to shake it? I’d love to know.
Barth’s pieces didn’t go for a lot of money. Most of the watercolors were sold as lots of about a half-dozen for around $30. I likely spent no more than $10 for the one that I got.
I have a similar oil painting hanging on my living room wall, similar in the sense that I don’t know who the artist is. This one, though, reminded me more of folk art; the style unrefined, heavy-handed in texture. It’s an oil painting of a black woman seated on a bench with bowls of flowers in her lap. The artist’s signature is smeared, but it looks like E. Strong. The painting has an old frame, possibly the original, from a framing shop in New York called house of Rosalie.
That’s one of the joys of auctions: The art of discovery.
Did she ever sign her work ” S. Barth “. I recently acquired a carving in plaster of a Seminole woman, painted and very well executed.
I don’t know if she signed her works that way. I suspect, though, that your “S. Barth” is not one of hers. I believe she was a painter, not a sculptor.
Good morning Sherry,
I found this little bit information on Ms. Barth. I hope this helps.
Helen Barth(109 years old) one of the oldest residents of New York state who lived in three centuries and was credited for her longevity while still being active and independent. Barth died in Brighton, New York on April 23, 2007.
Art and Literature
Thanks, Donnell. This does help. Maybe we’ll both come across more information about her.
I know Helen S. Barth – she was my good family friend and lived next door from my old house in Philadelphia that I grew up.. She was artist and her paintings were all over her house.. Top comment that I don’t think that it was right person.. Was her middle name. S. (Sophie)? I googled her name and found her that she passed away on January 18, 2012 and was 91 years old.. I miss her and she was a such sweet woman..
Patricia,
Helen spent Christmas Eve at our home in Oreland for many years. In 1954, she gave my mother a beautiful oil painting that still hangs in my dining room.
She was a very nice lady, sorry to her she passed away.
Tom Lengle