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MILTON "Keith" LEE
(1927-2003 - American)
"Skyline in Abstract"
SKYLINE CITYSCAPE 1960s OIL ON BOARD
Mid Century Abstract Modern Cubist
3D Impasto Oil Painting on Board
Excellent Condition
Size 24" x 18"
Original Gold Brass Finish Frame
Email any questions you may have....thank you.
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Milton "Keith" Lee (1927-2003)
Milton Keith Lee was born in late 1927 in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He showed an interest in art at a young age, and this interest continued throughout his life. Though his biography is incomplete, it is known that at some point he moved from the Oklahoma area to the West Coast, Though he lived for a time in Eugene, Oregon, he later moved to the Southern California area. It was here, likely beginning during the 1960s or perhaps even a bit earlier, that he spent the majority of his art career. Once in the Los Angeles area, Keith became very productive and innovative.
Keith's subject matter in particular was varied and unique. This may have been with regard to the subject itself, or the angle or lighting of the subject. A brim pulled down over a matador's eye's, the detailed rigging of a sailing ship are examples of Keith Lee's styling. Many of these classic themes are today associated with classic Mid Century Modern styling. Cubist skylines, impressionist matadors, ships in calm harbors and coastal seascapes have become popular backdrops. Keith painting them all with exceptional detail.
As with a variety of subject matter, Keith also used a wide array of art media. Oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, etchings, and lithographs are just a few of the different platforms Keith was known to work with.
It's been speculated elements of Keith's work were copied/borrowed/plagiarized during the 1960s-1970s. This by companies who at the time, mass producing popular artwork. One of the most well known of these is "Lee Reynolds". It may not have been Vanguard Art and "Lee Reynolds" or "Lee Burr", but there were others like them who were allegedly going to art shows, then taking sketches and notes back to their group of 10-20 "starving artist employees". (Not necessarily illegal, but not very ethical.) Theese employees were told what to paint, and to all sign the same name. The name was often a fictitious or ubiquitous name for which the "Studio" owner took credit. He used the art show spies to gather the best material they happened to see, and steal the local artists ideas. One of the victims it's been said was Keith.
In addition, unfortunately since "Keith Lee" looks a lot like "Lee Reynolds" to some, this created some confusion between the two, especially as the years have passed. Since Lee Reynolds' signed works have to be suspect as to whether they are actually Lee Burr works, some people may have later looked at Keith's works and assumed they were by a Vanguard Studio artist or Lee Burr.
One thing is for certain. Keith Lee was not Lee Reynolds, nor was he connected to Vanguard Studios.
Any claims of plagiarism aside. a look at Keith's work spoke volumes over his mass producing competitors.
Never the less, Keith's surviving art is gaining popularity again. One easy way to identify a Keith Lee piece is his attention to detail. It's often a painting you can look at for quite a while, since there's a lot to see."
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