Mose Tolliver (MoseT): Self Portrait, Oil on Panel

Mose Tolliver know as MoseT (1918-2006)

Self Portrait, Oil on panel. 21 x 16" or 81.3 × 40.6 cm. Hand-signed MoseT. Provenance: Rago Auctions, Jessica Leigh Collection, Bedford Art Gallery, Brooklyn New York.

Mose Tolliver, a renowned Alabama folk artist, was born into humble beginnings to sharecroppers near Montgomery, Alabama. Tragedy struck in the late 1960s when a workplace accident at a furniture factory crushed Mose's legs, compelling him into early retirement. Encouraged by his former employer, Tolliver turned to painting as a means of coping with pain and boredom. Despite his physical limitations, he embraced painting with vigor, using house paint on various surfaces, including plywood, Masonite, and discarded furniture. Recognition for Tolliver's talent blossomed slowly but surely. In the 1980s, solo exhibitions at esteemed venues such as the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C., propelled his vibrant and whimsical creations into the spotlight. Tolliver's art, characterized by its primitive charm and eclectic subject matter, captivated viewers, who were drawn to its playful spirit and rich symbolism. His prolific output and unique style attracted collectors from around the globe. Several of his works are Works are held in permanent collections of the National Gallery of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Smithsonian American Art Museum. Tolliver is recognized as one of the most celebrated examples of American folk art.