Henry Amalric Bancel

Here is a beautiful watercolor landscape by 20th century artist, Henry Amalric Bancel (November 12, 1885 - April 15, 1961). 

Bancel was born in 1885, the son of Fernand A. Bancel (1854-?) and Margaret Josephine Callaghan Bancel (1860-1904).  Fernand was born in the United States, both of his parents were French; Margaret was born in Ireland.  Henry A. Bancel had an older sister Irma M. Bancel and younger brothers Paul A. Bancel and Alfred F. Bancel.  Bancel graduated from Cornell and University and Bellevue Medical College, and was a physician.  He served as a first lieutenant in World War I, in the 107th Regiment of Infantry, rising to the rank of captain in the Medical Corps.  Thereafter, he practiced and lived in New York City, as an ear, nose and throat specialist.  Bancel was an instructor in medicine at Columbia University beginning in 1919, physician to outpatients and adjunct assistant visiting professor at Bellevue, district diagnostician of the city health department, and medical director of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York.  

A dashing looking fellow with an Errol Flynn type swashbuckling moustache, he and his wife Kitty made their home at 125 East 84th Street.  They were beloved by their family, and their family continues to share and appreciate a love for their Uncle Harry and for his masterful painting ability.

Bancel was a member of the American Water Color Society and would at times include its initials (a.w.c.s.) when signing his work.  He exhibited at the American Water Color Society in the years 1939-1950 and perhaps thereafter.  Bancel painted scenes of New York City, as well as places outside the city that New Yorkers frequented, or locations to which he traveled, including the family cottage at Lake Lemon.  As he did, he captured an era as well as a landscape.  Work by Bancel that has sold in recent years includes "From the 'Million Dollar' Pier, Atlantic City, NJ" (July 1925), "Fulton Fish Market" (1944), "Harbor Scene" (1945), and "Hudson River" (1952).  The titles themselves are evocative of the allure of these paintings.

These works by Bancel command very modest prices for one so talented; often, much less than you might pay for a similar sized anonymous reproduction of art of much lower quality offered at one of the big box stores. 

Why is that?  

Probably because the professional world of art critics and art galleries are more than a bit behind in getting to know just who Bancel was and what he accomplished at the easel.  You will be hard pressed to find much "out there" about him.  Except here, and one other place, the family's on-line page about their Uncle Harry, where more than two dozen of his wonderful paintings are on view.  I have tried not to duplicate information they have on that website and encourage all who may have an interest in mid-Century art to visit it.  You may find, as I have found, that you like all of Bancel's work.  I am especially partial to the winter scene of the arched bridge in Central Park among that collection.

The art historians and gallery owners, as well as collectors, would be wise to visit that website, as you can easily do.  While it is not a cataloge raisonne, it is a cataloge indicatif; that is, a collection of enough of Bancel's work to indicate the great talented he possessed:

Uncle Harry's Paintings

I am glad to say that I helped members of Bancel's family find this painting, this week.  It was being offered for sale, but the seller had not been able to decipher the signature.  I was able to do that, with some sleuthing using clues I had perfected when doing genealogical research, and was able to find the family website about Uncle Harry and his paintings.  As a result, I contacted the family and now this painting has been restored to the family, and is part of their collection, as well it should be.

It is fair to say that Henry Bancel is an under-appreciated mid-twentieth century American artist with an excellent eye and technique.  Over time, this will surely change, as more and more collectors understand who Bancel was and what he created.  I am glad to be part of the story, and to share appreciation for a very fine artist.