“Chairman of the Board”, Lot 588, Spring Estates Auction, April 17-19, 2015, Lot 588 • April 18, 2015

Neal AuctionImportant Spring Estates Auction • April 17-19, 2015

April 8, 2015

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to let you know about an important painting by George Rodrigue, which may be of particular interest to you and will be featured as lot 588 in our upcoming Spring Estates auction on April 18, 2015. “Chairman of the Board” was created at an exciting time in Rodrigue’s career to coincide with the opening of his new gallery space on Royal Street in 2010 and is among his largest and most significant works. The painting represents Rodrigue’s mature style and iconic Blue Dog within a unique artist-designed “running dogs” frame.

One of only four purchased by the artist in Santa Fe, NM, the massive frame was crafted in India and originally painted with shades of pale red, blue and green. For this special frame, Rodrigue reverted to his old practice of “painting to the frame.” In the 1970s, he is known to have bought inexpensive, antique frames and stretched canvas-es to fit. His painting, “Aioli Dinner,” is the most well-known example of this practice and currently hangs in the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans, LA. With “Chairman of the Board”, Rodrigue purchased the frame, stored it for a number of years in anticipation of a special painting, and then eventually had a canvas stretched to fit. Once the canvas was complete, Rodrigue then spent several days re-painting the wood frame by hand, making it truly one of a kind.

Over and above its magnificent frame and imposing size, “Chairman of the Board” combines many of the attributes that are sought in Rodrigue’s work and would be the highlight of any collection. In addition to the full-length Blue Dog, the painting has a strong graphic appeal and energetic color palette. A humorous title was a hallmark of George Rodrigue, known for his sense of humor and characteristic laugh. In this case, the title combined with the black stool and polka dot tie (a repeated and desired motif in Rodrigue’s work) results in a playful image with an enigmatic and engaging Blue Dog. The large scale is almost unprecedented for Rodrigue, with only a handful of works with similar or larger dimensions known to have been painted by the artist throughout his long career, most now in private collections.

“Chairman of the Board” is currently on exhibit at our gallery located at 4038 Maga-zine Street in New Orleans. If you would like to make an appointment for a private viewing, I would be delighted to accommodate you. Please also contact me if you have any questions or would like to register for bidding on “Chairman of the Board” in our upcoming auction on April 18th.

Sincerely,

Marney RobinsonPaintings, Prints and PhotographyNeal Auction Company4038 Magazine StreetNew Orleans, LA 70118504-899-5329paintings@nealauction.com

George Rodrigue with newly completed “Chairman of the Board”, 2010

Detail of George Rodrigue Painting “Running Dogs” Frame, 2010

Images copyright Wendy Rodrigue at www.wendyrodrigue.com and reprinted here with permission.

George Rodrigue with “Running Dogs” Frame, 2010

Neal Auction Company • www.nealauction.com