Summer Sisters (title attributed), George Shelly (b. 1941), c.1970, oil on canvas, 29x24 in, signed.
A luminous mid-century figurative oil by George Shelly depicting two young women in wide-brimmed white hats amid flowering greenery—an elegant portrait of youth, light, and seasonal beauty rendered with soft realism and vibrant color.
Artwork Description
This romantic double portrait presents two young women framed by abundant white and lavender blossoms, their wide-brimmed white hats creating sweeping arcs of light across the composition. One figure turns gently outward in profile, while the other looks toward the viewer with a soft, knowing expression. The pairing creates a subtle dialogue—introspection beside engagement—balanced through mirrored hair tones, similar hats, and complementary pastel garments.
Shelly’s brushwork alternates between controlled modeling and expressive surface energy. The faces are carefully rendered with warm flesh tones, softly blended shadows, and bright blue eyes that anchor the image. In contrast, the foreground blossoms are painted with looser, textured strokes—dabs and lifted brush marks that suggest petals without over-definition. The green background is built in layered, gestural passages that evoke foliage and filtered summer light rather than literal detail.
The sweeping hats serve as both compositional devices and mood-setters, casting a warm, lemon-toned glow beneath their brims. The result is a distinctly mid-century American figurative aesthetic: polished but painterly, sentimental yet structured. The work is signed by the artist and consistent with Shelly’s known focus on sympathetic portrayals of women and youthful subjects.
Artist Biography
George Shelly (American, b. 1941) is a New Jersey–based figurative painter recognized for intimate portraits of women and children rendered with luminous color and refined draftsmanship. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Shelly exhibited his first paintings at age sixteen and was the recipient of early artistic recognition, including a High School Competition award from the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, and a Monmouth Arts Foundation Scholarship.
Shelly studied at the New York Phoenix School of Design and later at the Art Students League of New York, where he strengthened his foundation in anatomy and classical figure construction. His training is evident in the proportion, modeling, and confident handling of facial structure in his portraits.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Shelly exhibited extensively throughout New Jersey and New York, including Iron Butterfly Gallery (Colts Neck, NJ), Argo Gallery (Spring Lake, NJ), the New York Academy of Design, Winston Gallery (New York City), and La Galerie des Arts (New York City). His work also appeared in Mexico City through collectors’ gallery exhibitions. Contemporary press described his paintings as marked by “luminous color” and a “sympathetic portrayal of women and children,” emphasizing his sensitivity and modern palette.
Shelly’s style bridges academic realism and accessible mid-century portraiture. Rather than strict photorealism, he favors softened contours, warm tonal transitions, and painterly backgrounds that enhance the emotional atmosphere. His recurring motifs—wide-brimmed hats, pastoral settings, youthful femininity—place him within a broader American figurative tradition that remained commercially and regionally strong during the 1960s–1980s.
Works by George Shelly continue to appear on the secondary market, particularly in the Northeast United States, with demand centered on his signature female portraits and seasonal pastoral themes.
George Shelly (American, b. 1941). Summer Sisters (title attributed), c.1970. Oil on canvas, 29 x 24 in. Double portrait of two young women in wide-brimmed white hats amid flowering greenery; signed.
Certificate of Authentication
Artist: George Shelly (American, b. 1941)
Title: Summer Sisters (title attributed)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 29 x 24 inches
Signature: Signed by the artist
Date: Circa late 1960s–early 1970s
This document certifies that, in our professional opinion, the artwork described above is an authentic work by George Shelly based on signature, stylistic consistency, and documented exhibition history.
Condition
Overall condition appears good based on provided images. Minor edge wear consistent with age and prior framing. Surface appears stable with no major visible paint loss. A light professional cleaning may enhance color clarity.
Provenance
George Shelly (artist)
Mitch Morse Gallery (acquired in NYC, United States and Europe)
Private Collection
Artfind Gallery, Washington DC (current owner)
Summer Sisters (title attributed), George Shelly (b. 1941), c.1970, oil on canvas, 29x24 in, signed.
A luminous mid-century figurative oil by George Shelly depicting two young women in wide-brimmed white hats amid flowering greenery—an elegant portrait of youth, light, and seasonal beauty rendered with soft realism and vibrant color.
Artwork Description
This romantic double portrait presents two young women framed by abundant white and lavender blossoms, their wide-brimmed white hats creating sweeping arcs of light across the composition. One figure turns gently outward in profile, while the other looks toward the viewer with a soft, knowing expression. The pairing creates a subtle dialogue—introspection beside engagement—balanced through mirrored hair tones, similar hats, and complementary pastel garments.
Shelly’s brushwork alternates between controlled modeling and expressive surface energy. The faces are carefully rendered with warm flesh tones, softly blended shadows, and bright blue eyes that anchor the image. In contrast, the foreground blossoms are painted with looser, textured strokes—dabs and lifted brush marks that suggest petals without over-definition. The green background is built in layered, gestural passages that evoke foliage and filtered summer light rather than literal detail.
The sweeping hats serve as both compositional devices and mood-setters, casting a warm, lemon-toned glow beneath their brims. The result is a distinctly mid-century American figurative aesthetic: polished but painterly, sentimental yet structured. The work is signed by the artist and consistent with Shelly’s known focus on sympathetic portrayals of women and youthful subjects.
Artist Biography
George Shelly (American, b. 1941) is a New Jersey–based figurative painter recognized for intimate portraits of women and children rendered with luminous color and refined draftsmanship. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Shelly exhibited his first paintings at age sixteen and was the recipient of early artistic recognition, including a High School Competition award from the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, and a Monmouth Arts Foundation Scholarship.
Shelly studied at the New York Phoenix School of Design and later at the Art Students League of New York, where he strengthened his foundation in anatomy and classical figure construction. His training is evident in the proportion, modeling, and confident handling of facial structure in his portraits.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Shelly exhibited extensively throughout New Jersey and New York, including Iron Butterfly Gallery (Colts Neck, NJ), Argo Gallery (Spring Lake, NJ), the New York Academy of Design, Winston Gallery (New York City), and La Galerie des Arts (New York City). His work also appeared in Mexico City through collectors’ gallery exhibitions. Contemporary press described his paintings as marked by “luminous color” and a “sympathetic portrayal of women and children,” emphasizing his sensitivity and modern palette.
Shelly’s style bridges academic realism and accessible mid-century portraiture. Rather than strict photorealism, he favors softened contours, warm tonal transitions, and painterly backgrounds that enhance the emotional atmosphere. His recurring motifs—wide-brimmed hats, pastoral settings, youthful femininity—place him within a broader American figurative tradition that remained commercially and regionally strong during the 1960s–1980s.
Works by George Shelly continue to appear on the secondary market, particularly in the Northeast United States, with demand centered on his signature female portraits and seasonal pastoral themes.
George Shelly (American, b. 1941). Summer Sisters (title attributed), c.1970. Oil on canvas, 29 x 24 in. Double portrait of two young women in wide-brimmed white hats amid flowering greenery; signed.
Certificate of Authentication
Artist: George Shelly (American, b. 1941)
Title: Summer Sisters (title attributed)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 29 x 24 inches
Signature: Signed by the artist
Date: Circa late 1960s–early 1970s
This document certifies that, in our professional opinion, the artwork described above is an authentic work by George Shelly based on signature, stylistic consistency, and documented exhibition history.
Condition
Overall condition appears good based on provided images. Minor edge wear consistent with age and prior framing. Surface appears stable with no major visible paint loss. A light professional cleaning may enhance color clarity.
Provenance
George Shelly (artist)
Mitch Morse Gallery (acquired in NYC, United States and Europe)
Private Collection
Artfind Gallery, Washington DC (current owner)
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