The Stolen Swim (1936) by Howard Chandler Christy – Oil on Canvas Painting

Howard Chandler Christy – The Stolen Swim (1936)

Artist: Howard Chandler Christy (American, 1872–1952)
Medium: Oil on canvasboard
Dimensions: 20 x 16 inches (50.8 x 40.6 cm)
Signature: Signed and dated lower right, 1936
Inscription: Titled on the reverse
Provenance: Private collection, Yorkville, Illinois

Painted in 1936, The Stolen Swim is an original oil painting by renowned American artist Howard Chandler Christy, best known for the iconic “Christy Girl” and his influential role in early twentieth-century American art. Highly sought after by collectors, Christy’s works embody elegance, vitality, and a distinctly modern vision of beauty.

The composition depicts a luminous nude reclining on sunlit dunes, rendered with loose, confident brushwork and a refined sensitivity to light and form. Executed during the artist’s mature period, The Stolen Swim merges Impressionistic spontaneity with timeless appeal, reaffirming Christy’s enduring influence on American visual culture.

Condition Report*
Minor abrasions along the extreme lower edge, partially obscured by the frame. No evidence of inpainting or prior restoration under UV examination.

Framed Dimensions: 26 x 21.75 inches