Bessie Gage Larsen (1889 – 1983)

Untitled (Dallas Skyline), likely before 1934, oil on canvas, signed lower right, 13 x 11 inches, labels verso with artist’s name, date and place of birth (Dallas)

$950

In this rare work, Bessie Gage Larsen depicts the Magnolia Petroleum Building in downtown Dallas. Built in 1922, the Beaux-Arts style 29-story building was the tallest in Dallas for many years. In 1934, likely after Larsen painted this work, the oil company installed its neon Pegasus logo on the roof of the building, where it remained for decades as the symbol of Magnolia’s successor, the Mobile Oil Company. The building, which is on the National Historic Register, still stands today and functions as a hotel.

Bessie Gage Larsen was Texas painter. Little is known about her biography or art education. She painted in the 1930s through the 1950s and exhibited at the Texas Centennial Exhibition, the Annual Texas Artists Exhibitions, and the Frank Reaugh Art Club. Few of her works have come to market.