James McLean (NC, 1904-1989), Old Man in Chair

Oil on canvas, signed at upper left corner, retaining collection labels to the verso, presented in a carved giltwood frame.

Stretcher size 30 x 26 1/4 in.; Frame dimensions 37 x 30 5/8 in.

From the Collection of the late A. Everette James, Jr., M.D., J.D., Chapel Hill, North Carolina


Born in Lincolnton, North Carolina, James Augustus McLean left an indelible mark on the arts of his home state. After studying at UNC-Chapel Hill and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, McLean returned to North Carolina in the late 1920s. In 1929 he founded the Southern School of Creative Arts in Raleigh. He was instrumental in the founding of NCSU's School of Design and the offering of art classes at UNC-Chapel Hill.

McLean championed all arts - performance, sculpture, painting, and dance. He was one of the founders of Raleigh Little Theater and served as the theater's first president.

Stretcher lines, light grime, minor fleabites.