Up for sale is an exquisite pair of matching oil paintings by the talented, and one of the original Florida highwaymen artists, Willie C. Reagan. These two oil paintings show the same Florida landscape mirrored as a river stretches through natural Florida vegetation of palm trees all under a fabulous orange sky. Large cumulous clouds are seen overhead as the setting sun not only casts them with its blazing orange color but also casts it onto the water below giving this work a balance across its composition helping to show Willies formal education in the arts. The oak wood frames measure 21 1/2 x 15 1/2 inches while the painting measures 18 x 12 inches. Each work is signed in its low left and right corner in the darkest section of the painting making it difficult to see as the signature as it is written in dark brown oil.

What makes these two works a very rare example, other than the unique design of the mirrored images, is that these are early examples from Reagan. Willie started painting Florida landscapes after leaving the Army in 1966 after being inspired by Harold Newton as a child. He was a full time painter until only 1968 when he gave it up after he was invited to teach at Gifford High School. He taught for 27 years before retiring in 1995 when he started to paint once again. These two matching works appear to date roughly to the late 60’s making these extremely scarce as the only works ever to surface for sale were painted after his retirement in 1995. The paintings are extremely well composed with fine brushwork especially seen in the clouds, water and palm trees. The works do show surface dirt and grime as well as a 1 inch scuff/scratch present low left corner under the artists signature. Frames show cosmetic imperfections/blemishes.

Another very nice detail to these two painting is that each work has attached the artists original return label present at the top corner verso, as seen photographed, giving the work some nice additional provenance. The images provided accurately represent the quality, condition and aesthetic beauty of these fine Willie Reagan oil paintings but if you have any questions please feel free to ask prior to purchasing!