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Double Decker

04 Dec

The Astonishing Double Lives and Double Dealings of John Decker

john-decker

head-of-christ

errol-flynn-john-decker-portrait

theartofilm.blogspot.com…

www.richardrushfield.com…

— Tim

 
8 Comments

Posted in Behind the Scenes, Collectibles, Flynn and..., Flynn-related, Gentleman Tim, Paintings Owned By Errol Flynn, Portraits

 
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shangheinz
8 years ago

[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/brute-force.jpg[/img]

Sometimes Leopold Wolfgang Avenarius von der Decken brought his drawing board to the morgue. This painting played a bit part in the film noir “Brute Force” and was owned by Hollywood producer Mark Hellinger. Not for long since he died of a sudden heart attack in 1947. Buy it here and hold on to it for your dear life: new.liveauctioneers.com…

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rswilltell
8 years ago
Reply to  shangheinz

John Decker’s art makes my blood run cold. Why all the fuss for this mediocre artist? Ralph Schiller

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shangheinz
8 years ago
Reply to  rswilltell

[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/scarlett-street.jpg[/img]

Even though a much finer caricaturist than painter, Decker was a much sought after artist for in movie artworks, mostly sinister stuff. Here for example he depicted Joan Bennett in “Scarlett Street”. Ralphaello, it`s the man behind the canvas that merits our attention: articles.latimes.com…

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Gentleman Tim
8 years ago
Reply to  shangheinz

You are a true Gentleman of Vertu, connousieurheinz.

Booty is in the eye of the beholder. And so it is with Double Decker. One thing for sure, he painted some very celebrated subjects, mostly from the Golden Age of the Silver Screen, suchbas the mural now in the National Gallery (I believe), but from rulers from earlier eras, as well. Heck, even Queen Victoria sat for him:

s50.photobucket.com…

[imgcomment image?w=848[/img]

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Gentleman Tim
8 years ago
Reply to  Gentleman Tim

Significant enough to be included at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery:

Wilshire Bowl Mural Study by John Decker, 1941

npg.si.edu…

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Gentleman Tim
8 years ago
Reply to  rswilltell

The dispute over Decker’s talents and importance rages on, Ralph. Was he truly “Useless, Insignificant, Poetic”?

Here’s a fascinating collage of his work and companions during his manic time with Flynn. Great rare shots of Flynn and Flynn-Decker Gallery, film of Bundy Drive, and what appears to be the Flynn-Decker Gallery Coat of Arms at ~ 7:42

[imgcomment image[/img]

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rswilltell
8 years ago
Reply to  Gentleman Tim

Heinz and Tim; The portrait of Joan Bennett by Decker rests my case. There is something creepy and disturbing about his work. When I first saw the portrait I thought it was Hedy Lamarr but look again. Is that the Black Dahlia, Elizabeth Short? It sure resembles her. Ralph Schiller

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shangheinz
8 years ago
Reply to  rswilltell

I hear ya`, Ralphone, the eerie feeling is tangible.
Also Decker`s painting of Errol looked like “The picture of Dorain Grey”.
The Black Dahlia looms large, yet again in another film noir. Another sheerie coincidence- yesterday was Joan Bennett`s 26th anniversary of her death day: www.latimes.com…

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