John Koch (American, 1909-1978), Study for 'Postlude' #2

Pencil on paper, 1963, signed and dated at lower right, matted and framed under glass.

13 1/2 x 15 3/4 in.; Frame dimensions 20 x 22 in.

Kraushaar Galleries, New York
From the Estate of Charles Whitson Stanford, Jr., Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Former Director of the North Carolina Museum of Art)

John Koch was an American painter known for his elegant, realist interiors and portraits that captured the refined atmosphere of mid-20th-century urban life. Born in Toledo, Ohio, he was largely self-taught but developed a sophisticated style influenced by European academic painting. Based in New York City, Koch often depicted well-dressed figures in sunlit apartments, engaged in quiet moments of daily life, music, or conversation. His work combined traditional techniques with a modern sensibility, focusing on the interplay of light, space, and social interaction. His work is held in major museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; and more.

Light toning and some creasing to sheet; not examined out of the frame.