watercolor on paper
60 x 39 cm (23 5/8 x 15 3/8 in.)
signed lower right

LOT NOTES
Considered to be an important American illustration artist, Wladyslaw Teodor Benda was born in Poznan, Poland, in 1873, and emigrated to America with his family in 1899. In New York, he studied at the the Art Students League and the William Merritt Chase School, studying with Robert Henri and Edward Penfield. A very successful graphic artist in America, Benda was also extremely proud of his Polish heritage, become closely associated with the Kosciuszko Foundation in America for Polish-American affairs. During both World Wars, Benda designed numerous posters for both Poland and America, many advocating relief efforts. Following the end of World War I, the Polish government honored him with the Order Odrodzenia Polski (Order of Rebirth of Poland).