Sometimes, all we know about an artist from the past comes from their artwork.
This is especially true of folk and outsider artists; collectors are often lucky know their names. Fortunately, artist Louis E. Thompson signed and dated his works, like the mixed media wall sculpture shown here, made in 1932, that sold for $343 at Alex Cooper Auctioneers.
Thompson lived from 1894 to 1963, spent his life in Maryland, and worked as a teacher.
Other than that, his life is largely a mystery. His art fits into folk art traditions; for example, it is typically mixed media, indicating that he used whatever materials were available. Painted pieces usually have flat areas of color without shading. Some of his works have Christian imagery, like figures of saints or pictures of churches. References to American history are another frequent subject. Thompson depicted scenes of historical sites or events and created images based on Native American art.
Gold-painted eagles, like the carved and gilded finials seen on fine Federal furniture, appear on frames and wall sculptures. According to a note on the back of this wall sculpture, the china fragments incorporated into it are from Mount Vernon, George Washington’s plantation. Archaeological excavations there began in the 1930s, about the time Thompson made the sculpture.
