My thanks to John Glass who responded to my post on mystery artist L.A. Arent by checking the Illinois census from 1930.
This led to Lynton Erle Arent, whose occupation was commercial artist. Since Arent did illustrations for American Builder Magazine and the publisher’s headquarters were in Chicago, I think we can consider this case closed.
Let’s try one more. Jose Arentz, sometimes listed as Jose F.M. Arentz. I have not seen much of Arentz’ work but his 1935 illustration for Goodyear Silvertown tires is spectacular, almost on a par with the period’s great architectural renderer, Hugh Ferriss.
As I write this post, there is currently a piece by Jose Arentz for sale on eBay. I hope the seller won’t mind my sharing the picture; perhaps it will lead to a sale.
Know anything about Jose Arentz? Let me hear from you so we can give him his due.
Update, December 2019. Boris Simeone has graciously provided a great deal of addtional information. His comments are below.
Ho trovato questo link:
http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/cce/cache/Art-1973JanJun.pdf
PS scusa ma non parlo l’inglese
Boris Simeoni
piazza De Marini 1/6 Genova Italia
borissimeoni@gmail.com
Arentz, Joseph M. (americano 1903-69). LAVORATORE DI LAMIERE
ecco il link
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/arentz-joseph-m-american-1903-69-sheet-metal-11-c-06e4bf2b1d#
ancora un riferimento
Joseph M Arentz (1903-1969)
“colpo fortunato” ad acquerello di Joseph Arentz
ecco il link
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/watercolor-lucky-strike-by-joseph-arentz-64-c-09c4cc9a2f
altro riferimento
sembra che sia nato in Germania (ecco perchè Joseph) e poi residente nel Maine
JOSEF ARENTZ Maine / Maryland / Germania, 1903-1969
ecco il link
https://www.invaluable.com/artist/arentz-joseph-m-5xuz6axobx/sold-at-auction-prices/
“Josef M. Arentz, Kennebunk, Maine
Josef M. (Joseph) Arentz
Nato: 1903 – Odendorf, Germania
Deceduto: 1969
ha vissuto e lavorato a Kennebunk, ME
I knew Josef Arentz personally. He was a fried of my parents and grandparents and lived in their downstairs apartment in Portland, Maine upon arriving from Germany. He and his wife subsequently moved to Kennebunk, Maine where they bought a large home. Joe used a good part of it for his studio and showroom. Most of his work was seascapes. A few rare paintings were seascapes that included clipper ships but not many.
Joe was an elderly, bespectacled, white haired balding gentleman. He liked children but had none of his own. I met him in the mid fifties and visited him occasionally until his death in 1969. I was nineteen then.
Thank you SO much for this fascinating information.