A Portfolio
from
The Drawing Room of Newport
RB 11. A work on paper by Richard Banks (unsigned). This work we believe is part silk screen and part pen and ink. Size: 18" x 24". Condition: there are several scuffs to the lower right quadrant and a water mark at the right thigh level of the figure in red pants. The green circles denote the scuffs and the water stain areas. Again, Banks creates a "Homosexual" (Gay) themed fantasy of attractive men this time playing badmitten in a court obviously not suited for sports (at least not this sport). Dressed in English Empire attire, these clearly erotic figures pose for the viewer with the object of 'turning you on" . . . and they do. P.O.R.
RB2. A Tempera and Ink on Paper by Richard Banks. Size: 14" x 21". A study in green of a young man wearing a very sheer tea shirt. Crew cut and jeans: we date this work by Mr. Banks around 1959-60. More than one of Banks works is in the collection of The Leslie-Lohman Gay Art Foundation collection {New York City} and in his biography is described as: "Born in Palm Beach, Florida, Banks had a very successful career as a window designer and illustrator but eventually turned to portraiture in works that eventually included the entire New York City Ballet and Rose Kennedy. He also painted impressive male nudes ." Contemporary metal frame with green mat. Note the reflection of the glass. The above image shows the true color of the art work. The pictures listed below appear less green, but the study is truly green; a green mat was selected to compliment the art. Price: SOLD
# RB29 A crayon on paper with applied gold stars. By Richard Banks (unsigned). Size: 14.5" x 24". Condition: folds to several stars and a mar to the lower left next to the 'wand'. The color of the artist paper is blue/gray. Price: SOLD
Item # RB 49. A pen on paper signed by Richard Banks in the lower right corner. Size: 17" x 21". Condition: edge folds. This work is on pale cream colored artisti paper. Price: SOLD
Item # RB 28. A crayon on paper by Richard Banks (unsigned). Size: 7" x 25". Condition: edge tear to the lower left corner. This work is on a pale yellow artist paper. Price: SOLD
RB 27. A drawing by Richard Banks; signed in the lower left corner. A crayon on paper. Size: 18" x 22". Condition: smudge to the back and front upper left of the paper/ does not interfere with the drawing. A young male reclines wearing a flowered robe open to reveal his full features. Banks drew from models and this young man combines both male and female qualities. Startling green eyes; at ease with the artist, the finished work reminds one of drawings by Benois. From Banks private collection. c. 1965. Price: $1,500.00.
RB 53. A drawing on paper by Richard Banks (unsigned). Size: 7" x 8.5" on paper. A 1960's era characturer of a 'mod' woman wearing a 'funky' hat. From the private portfolio of Richard Banks. Condition: scuffs to the surface and cut from a larger work surface. Price: SOLD
RB 54. A drawing on paper by Richard Banks (signed). Ink on paper of a young woman wearing an exotic head covering. Size: 11.5" x 5.5" glued onto a turquoise mat board. Condition: discoloration at the bottom of the work probably caused by the adhesive. Price: SOLD
RB 55. A work on paper by Richard Banks (unsigned) Titled: "Richard Gaya". Size: 8" x 9.5". Depicts a young man asleep. Condition: scuffs to the surface. Price: SOLD
RB 56. A work on paper by Richard Banks (unsigned). Titled: "Ron Stratton." A side profile of a young man. Size: 13.5" x 11". Condition: scuffs, pencil mars and tiny black dots which do not appear to come off-to the left of the chin. The profile faces left. Price: SOLD
Item # Banks 27-B. An original work by Richard Banks. Not Signed by the Artist; from his personal portfolio. Circa 1960's. Titled "Louis Bernardo" possible a dancer with the New York City Ballet. Banks drew many dancers from the troupe. Medium: Pencil on vellum mounted onto artist paper. Condition: the glue used to attach the vellum onto the artist paper has caused brown streaking in the background giving the appearance an ancient effect, not altogether unattractive. Size: 21" x 9.5". Banks was a friend of Doris Duke who attended parties giving by Banks at his Newport Rhode Island Greek Revival Mansion. This drawing has a Federico Fellini Satyricon spirit about it. Photographed behind shrink wrap and loose mounted on foam core.This item has been sold.
# RB9. An ink on paper of a lady. c. 1950-60. Unsigned but attributed to Richard Banks. Mr. Banks was a society portrait painter whose clients were in New York, Newport and Palm Beach. This delicately styled drawing we believe represents Barbara Cushing Mortimer Paley know as Babe Paley. She was a "high priestess of the social arts, beauty, fashion and entertaining." Her good friend Truman Capote said of her: "She was perfect. Otherwise, she was perfect." We believe that this to be a Banks copy of an original art by Rene R. Bouche. Bouche was commissioned to create pieces for Vogue magazine in the 1950's. We have not ben able to locate a photo of the original, but when we do so, we will post it. Price: $1,500.00
RB 23. A work on paper by Richard Banks (unsigned). Size: 18" x 24". Pencil on paper. Condition: scuffs and smudging consistent with use and age. Name in pencil written on the top left corner: "Charlie Baker" which I believe is the subject. A young man poses with his back to the viewer with his right hand resting on a the back of a chair. This item has been sold.
RB 16. A Richard Banks pen and ink and colored ink on paper mounted on artist board. Dickie Banks does Jim Morrison: at least it looks a little like a feminine Jim Morrison. This signed and dated (Richard Banks - Newport - 1965) drawing by Mr. Banks is provocative with the sitter showing his most prized possession (next to his hair)! The stars on the shirt and the hair are a dead giveaway to an era of drugs, love and rock and roll. Size: 24" x 30". Condition: estate condition, showing use but not abuse. This item has been sold.
RB 26. A work on paper by Richard Banks (unsigned). Size: 15" x 23". Black ink on paper. Condition: scuffs and smudging consistent with use and age; tear to the lower right corner. Frontal portrait of a young man. This item has been sold.
Item # RB 50. A tempera on artist paper by Richard Banks (not signed). Matted. An impressionist/ modernist view of trees and lawn: a modernist landscape. Size: 18.5" x 24.5". Condition: no tears or folds, mounted with yellowed masking tape to the mat. Colors: green black and blue. The color palate related to Banks portrait of a boy: study in green. Price: SOLD
Richard Banks: Artist
A notice from 1962: "Lobster Pot Gallery Nantucket, Massachusetts Presents July 15-20 {1962}RICHARD BANKS. This is the first Nantucket showing of paintings by the young Palm Beach Artist Richard Banks. Mr. Banks studied at the Norton Gallery of Art. His paintings are contemporary in spirit and arrestingly realistic. It is Mr. Banks' feeling that the grace and flow of line in his work can be attributed to his experience in musical composition. His talent for design and color are immediately evident. At present Mr. Banks' paintings are in many private collections including those of: Mr. and Mrs. Chester Dale, Mr. Carl Van Vechten, Mr. and Mrs. James Reid Parker, General William Young."
Mr. Banks was included in a Portraits in Review: 1962-1963 Portraits Inc.{Gallery}, 136 East 57th Street New York, New York - May 15 through May 29, 1963.
Some of his Exhibitions in the 1960's were: Palm Beach Galleries, Palm Beach 1962; Lobster Pot Gallery Nantucket 1961-62; Southampton Gallery, Southhampton, L.I. 1962; New York City Center, New York City 1963; Newman Art Gallery Philadelphia, PA 1963; Cushing Memorial Hall, Newport Rhode Island 1963; Galaxy Gallery, Phoenix Arizona 1964; Palm Beach Galleries, Palm Beach Feb 1964.
From and article in Dance Magazine March 1963 titled: "Impressions in Paint and Words": "Alicia Markova, who recently announced her retirement from active dance, continues her career as choreographer and lecturer. The lovely ballerina, famed for her delicate, Romantic style, is seen here, late January, with Richard Banks and his portrait-in-progress of her. 'I was unprepared and fascinated by the directness of her gaze' says Mr. Banks, 'and how different she is on and off-stage.' 'Dancers,' says Richard Banks, 'are special people.' Allegra Kent 'is not flesh and bones - she's really air!' and Alicia Markova to the painter, is 'like Mt. Olympus.' Born and brought up in the elegant atmosphere of Palm Beach, Mr. Banks has been and commercial and fashion artist and more recently a successful society painter. With an ability to readily capture the likeness of a subject, he started with portraits in tempera and changed to oils. He has always admired the beauty of his dancer-friends, and so, with no thought of profit as motivation, he has focused his attention on making a record of their unique radiance. His portraits, most of which are life size - five or six feet, are accomplished in one or two sittings. He doesn't want the dancers to pose in movement. And yet, since a non-dancer pose might be static, he searches for a characteristic stance. He uses color to catch what he considers the aura of the individual personality. March 12 - April 21, in conjunction with the N.Y.C. Ballet's spring season, City Center Galleries presents an exhibition of Richard Bank's portraits of dancers . . ."
Click on the image below to show past inventory of works by Richard Banks sold from our Gallery in Newport Rhode Island:
If you have Erotic Art that you wish to sell, we are always interested in purchasing such items: paintings, bronzes, carvings, prints, etc. Complete discretion assured.
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If you have a question about any of the items in this gallery please drop us a line or Email us. Email us at: drawrm@hotmail.com. Our gallery The Drawing Room Antiques is located at 152-154 Spring Street, Newport, Rhode Island 02840 and our phone number there is 1-401-841-5060 / cell 1-401-261-3980.
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