Urban River Scene at Dusk (likely Chicago or Elmhurst vicinity)
Painting on board or panel • Eleanor Hookham (Eleanor Hookham King, 1909–2003)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century American Impressionism / Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil painting featuring heavy impasto and palette knife work to create texture and light reflections.
Creation Period
Circa 1967
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8 x 10 inches; landscape format
Subject Description
A city riverfront composition featuring a bridge spanning the water with commercial or industrial buildings flanking the banks. The work focuses on the play of light on water and the atmospheric quality of the sky, using gestural strokes.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the paint layer appears stable with vibrant pigment retention and no obvious signs of flaking.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600
Provenance History
Acquired from the artist in Elmhurst, Illinois, 1967. Originally owned by A. Eugene Jarvis (or a friend thereof). Eleanor Hookham was a prominent figure in the Elmhurst art community and founder of the Elmhurst Art Museum.
Art Historical Significance
Eleanor Hookham was a central figure in the Chicago area art scene, known for her advocacy and role in founding the Elmhurst Art Museum. Her work reflects the regional transition from traditional impressionism to more expressive, textured mid-century modernism.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'HOOKHAM' signature in the lower left corner. The painting is housed in a period-appropriate mid-century natural wood frame with a white inner liner.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust accumulation and light yellowing of the protective varnish. The frame shows minor shelf wear in the corners.
Conservation Recommendations
Light surface cleaning by a professional. Display under UV-filtered glass or in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.
Collector Notes
Elmhurst, Illinois, 1967 Eleanor Hookham King Friend of A. Eugene Jarvis