Acrylic Paint

Figurative, warm tonal painting of people most likely of North African descent. The men are depicted completely clothed and sitting on the ground while the women are more exposed and gathering food. The scene also includes animals such as chickens and a donkey. The figures are situated at a cave most likely located in North Africa. The title "Les Chleux" refers to French slang used during the World Wars to describe non-French speaking people such as Moroccans and Germans.

Martin Baer was born in Chicago, IL on Jan. 3, 1894. Martin and his brother George (1893-1971) studied art at the AIC, in Munich and in Paris at Ecole des Beaux Arts. Although the brother studied Impressionism, their style became very distinct and unique within the art community. Following their art studies the brothers spent two years on the outskirts of the Sahara Desert in North Africa where they painted and lived among the Arabs. Leaving Africa, Martin traveled to Paris and was active there until 1940. With war approaching he returned to the U.S. and soon had a studio-home on the Monterey Peninsula. His last 13 years were spent in San Francisco; he died there on Feb. 14, 1961.

H 23.75 x W 28.25 in x D .5 in

H 27 in. x W 32 in. x D 2.5 in.