Dale Nichols (American, 1904-1995): A Wise Man, Monkey in a Box, 1974. Painting on linen signed and dated below, unframed.

Artist, printmaker, illustrator, watercolorist, designer, writer and lecturer, Dale Nichols did paintings that reflected his rural background of Nebraska where he was born in David City, a small town. Although he did much sketching outdoors, most of his paintings were completed in his studio and often included "numerology, magic squares and psychic symbols." (Zellman 912) His painting The End of the Hunt (undated) won the Hearst Award at a 1930s exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago. In the 1960s, he traveled to Guatemala where he was much impressed by the lushness of the landscape and the Spanish and Mayan's culture. These interests were also reflected in his artwork.

48 x 35.5 inches.

Gift of the artist to James D. Chapman, 2000; Private collection, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Private collection, New England, USA, 2022.