Theodore N. Lukits (1897-1992)
             
 

       
 

 

Theodore Lukits was a staunch advocate of the traditional fine arts and was very active in the futile attempts to turn back the tide of modernism that swamped representational painting in the 1940s and 1950s. The marine painter Duncan Gleason (1881-1959) was one of Lukits' friends and a comrade in arms and he founded a committee to coordinate the efforts of the different traditional organizations to advocate traditional aesthetics, standards and training for painters.

 

 

Letter from the Co-ordinating Committee of Traditonal Artists, 1951 [enlarge image]

  
     
     
  Theodore Lukits working on the portrait of Harry G. Daniels in his studio. Daniels was the owner of H.G. Daniels, a huge art and architectural supply located on West 6th Street, near Otis Art Institute, in the old artist quarter of Los Angeles near MacArthur Park. Lukits painted both Daniels and his wife.    
The completed portrait of art businessman Harry G. Daniels, 1953   Lukits painted a "sketch portrait" of Mrs. Harry (Mary) Daniels in 1943. These portraits were described by the artists as "sketch portraits" because they completed them "alla prima" in one or two brief sittings. These portraits ranged from 20" x 16" to 30" x 24" in size and were much less expensive than more ambitious works that involved a number of sittings.  
Postcard invitation for a demonstration for the Painters' and Sculptors' Club held at the famous Duncan and Vail art supply store in downtown Los Angeles. Lukits worked on his largest still life, titled "The Collection" (now damaged).