A. E. (Bean) Backus was born in 1906 in Ft. Pierce, Florida. Although he moved to New York briefly to study at the Parsons School of Design and Art, Backus returned to Ft. Pierce where he lived and worked until his death in 1990. During that time, he worked to depict his home state's natural beauty. Albert Ernest Bean Backus' paintings showcase his keen ability to capture light and his extensive knowledge of Florida's plant and animal life. Today, the largest collection of Albert Ernest Bean Backus' prints can be found in the eponymous gallery just two blocks from his old home.
Albert Ernest Bean Backus' paintings feature thick strokes of saturated hues. Although his style was emulated by other Floridian painters, genuine Albert Ernest Bean Backus paintings' prices continue to rise. Buy lush landscape paintings for sale at Invaluable to add a touch of the exceptional to your home.
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Giclee of "Dawns First Light" on Canvas - Signed in print lower right. Canvas measures 20x24 framed to overall size of 26x30. THIS IS A PRINT. Condition: Very Fine
A.E. "Bean" Backus (American, 1906-1990), limited edition giclee on canvas depicting a classic Florida coastal landscape in the Indian River School style, featuring palm trees, a shoreline residence, a small waterside structure, boats, and figures beneath dramatic cloud-filled skies. Signed in plate lower right. Verso marked "Giclee Print of an Original Oil by A.E. Backus" and hand inscribed "Bill Rossells," with artist signature and date "1950." Presented in a gilt frame with cloth matting. Work Size: 20 x 24 in. Dimensions: 26.5 X 30.5 X 1.75 in. Condition: Good overall condition with typical age-related surface wear. Slight yellowing to the varnish layer. Foxing present to the cloth matting. Frame exhibits normal age-related storage and handling wear along edges and corners consistent with age. Note: This condition statement is provided as a courtesy and reflects an opinion, not a statement of fact. Bidders are encouraged to inspect items in person or through an agent to assess condition. Estate fresh to the market. Shipping Information: Hill Auction Gallery does not offer in-house packing or shipping services. As a courtesy, we are pleased to refer trusted third-party shipping providers for buyer convenience. Buyers are encouraged to contact shippers directly to obtain packing quotes, shipping rates, insurance options, and estimated transit times. Additional local, domestic, and international shipper referrals may be available upon request. Parcel Shipping Providers: First Class Shipping Center, 11700 NW 41st Street, Coral Springs, FL. Phone (754) 800-7674. Email 1shippingcenter@gmail.com. Mr. Ship Pro, 7838 NW 44th St, Sunrise, FL 33351. Phone (305) 783-9504. Email roberto@mrshippro.com. The UPS Store #2881, 11110 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise, FL 33351. Phone (954) 572-4004. Email store2881@theupsstore.com. Freight & Large Item Shipping / Local Florida Delivery: Available through independent providers. Please contact info@hillauctiongallery.com for referrals based on item size, location, and delivery requirements.
Albert Ernest "Bean". Backus (American, 1906-1993) "Piney Woods" Florida Landscape Lithograph Print on paper. Depicting a pine flat woods with sandy trail, palmettos, and expansive sky. Signed in plate in black marker lower right and titled verso. Presented under glass with layered matting and gilt wood frame. Sight size approximately 19.75" x 29.5". Dimensions: 29.75 X 39 X 1.5 in. Condition: Good overall condition with normal surface wear. Frame exhibits storage wear to edges and corners. Has not been examined outside of the frame. Note: This condition statement is provided as a courtesy and reflects an opinion, not a statement of fact. Bidders are encouraged to inspect items in person or through an agent to assess condition. Estate fresh to the market. Shipping Information: MMB does not offer in-house packing or shipping services. As a courtesy, we are pleased to refer trusted third-party shipping providers for buyer convenience. Buyers are encouraged to contact shippers directly to obtain packing quotes, shipping rates, insurance options, and estimated transit times. Additional local, domestic, and international shipper referrals may be available upon request. Parcel Shipping Providers: First Class Shipping Center, 11700 NW 41st Street, Coral Springs, FL. Phone (754) 800-7674. Email 1shippingcenter@gmail.com. Mr. Ship Pro, 7838 NW 44th St, Sunrise, FL 33351. Phone (305) 783-9504. Email roberto@mrshippro.com. The UPS Store #2881, 11110 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise, FL 33351. Phone (954) 572-4004. Email store2881@theupsstore.com. Freight & Large Item Shipping / Local Florida Delivery: Available through independent providers. Please contact info@hillauctiongallery.com for referrals based on item size, location, and delivery requirements.
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Gouache on paper - signed lower right. Stage prop for the Sunrise Theater in Ft. Pierce dated 1976. Executed in brushwork. Albert Backus’s 1976 gouache stage-prop portrait of George Washington, created during the nation’s Bicentennial, blends patriotic homage with theatrical flair. Washington’s features are rendered in bold, economical strokes, giving the work a stentorian presence. Though modest in medium, it radiates Backus’s instinct for elevating Americana into something dignified, expressive, and culturally resonant. Visible image measures 18x29 professionally matted and framed to overall size of 29x41. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas - signed lower right. Executed in palette knife. Albert Backus’s exceedingly rare net-mender endearingly titled “Dad’s Boat” stands as one of the most human, culturally resonant works in the Indian River School orbit—a luminous intersection of labor, heritage, and South Florida maritime history. Backus renders a intentionally bright scene with a sponge boat crew of Latino workers with documentary tenderness: men crouched over sprawling nets and tending to the skiff, their gestures rhythmic and purposeful, while dad’s sailboat distant yet central, anchoring the scene in coastal continuity. A Chickee-pole tent, its thatched canopy casting broken shade, rises behind them like a quiet architectural heartbeat of the tropics; crows perch atop its ridge, while a loyal dog rests in the cool shadow and mangroves that embrace the tropic soil completing the intimate choreography of daily life. Every stroke of the palette knife resonates with Backus’s classic playful use of purple, reds and orange juxtapositioned in barks and branches to ruse the beholder. What elevates this painting further is its storied provenance, a narrative as colorful as Backus’s palette. Emerging directly from the Robbie family of the Miami Dolphins esteem, the work became a private treasure within one of South Florida’s most influential households. Upon Robbie’s passing, his son transferred the painting to Howard Glicken—the formidable Coral Gables power broker, CEO of The Americas Group, founder of Spectrum Telecommunications and MGI Industries, and a central figure in U.S.–Latin American business diplomacy. Glicken kept the painting titled “Dad’s Boat” perhaps abord his own yacht, where Backus’s net-menders presided over countless voyages, their quiet labor echoing the industrious ambition of their successive owners. Only recently has this remarkable piece returned to shore, carrying with it a vivid, sun-soaked, and culturally layered provenance which we are privileged to offer herewith. Accompanied by Backus Museum 2006 provenance and Appraisal certificate. Canvas measures 24x30 framed to overall size of 31x37. Condition: Very Fine
Attributed To: Albert Ernest (Beanie) Backus, American (1906 - 1990) Oil on Panel "Florida Scene" Signed Lower Right. Sight 15-1/2" x 19-1/2". Frame 23-3/4" x 27-3/4". A piece listed as "attributed to" a particular artist has not been verified by a recognized expert on that artist. We provide such works without any guarantee of authenticity. Condition: Good condition. Estimate 500 - 1000 Domestic shipping Third party
GREAT A.E. BAKUS FLORIDA PAINTING Albert Ernest (Beanie) Backus (American 1906-1990) Trade Winds and Glimmering Light Oil on canvas Signed lower right "A.E. BAKUS 24 x 30 inches. Overall, in original tropical style frame 29.5 x 35.5 inches Provenance: The estate of the late Lt. Howard Vander Beek 1917-2014 (USN Retired), skipper of the LCC 60 which ushered in the ships at Omaha Beach on D-Day. Lt. Howard Vander Beek's naval career spanned four years (1942-1946) in which he saw action in the European, Mediterranean and Pacific Theaters of operation, including action in three major sea land invasions and an eyewitness to history that few can equal. Vander Beek was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa in 1917. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1938 and entered service as a midshipman in October of 1942, at Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana. After graduation he was sent to Fort Pierce, Florida to train at the new Amphibious Naval Scouts and Raiders School where it is believed by his family that he acquired the offered painting. In 1952 Howard became an English Professor at Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa - Cedar Falls) writing a textbook on English and teaching.
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas - signed lower right. Executed in brush and palette knife. Backus’s circa-1959 brush-and-knife composition captures a Jamaican father and son in quiet balcony conversation, framed by a lush green jungle where sunlight filters through layered leaves. Echoing the example on p.154 of Tropical Lights, the work reveals Backus’s hallmark command of directional light, using it to model form, heighten intimacy, and fuse lived experience with painterly atmosphere. Canvas measures 24x30 framed to overall size of 32x38. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas - signed lower right. Executed in Pallet Knife. “Spreading Everglades Giant” unfolds as a tribute to Old Florida’s untamed heart. A fallen oak limb anchors the foreground, guiding the viewer toward a monumental live oak whose vast canopy shelters sabal palms, a lone pine, and the hammock rising behind it. The late-morning light is rendered with the quiet devotion Albert E. Backus brought to every corner of the Florida wilderness he loved—its textures, silences, and stubborn beauty. Beneath the scene lingers Fox Ranch’s history of organized fox hunts, when riders once traced these glades in rituals that shaped early ranching culture and community identity. Canvas measures 24x30 framed to overall size of 29.5x35.5. Size: 24x30 Condition: Very Fine
S/AEB1-OYSSS Description: Clear Day Artist Name: A.E. Backus Medium: Oil on Canvas Year: November 1967 Signature: Signed lower right corner in paint Image size: 29.5" x 23.5" Edition: For Frank D. Hall # 4 Condition: Excellent - Recently professionally cleaned. A. E. Backus (American, 1906–1990) Alfred Ernest Backus, widely regarded as the “Dean of Florida Landscape Painters, ” stands as one of the most important figures in Florida’s 20th-century art history. Celebrated for his evocative depictions of the state’s natural environment, Backus rendered wetlands, pine forests, rivers, and expansive skies with a distinctive style informed by American Impressionism and Tonalism. His masterful use of color, light, and atmosphere conveys a profound sense of place and remains a defining contribution to regional American landscape painting. In addition to his accomplished body of work, Backus played a pivotal role as a mentor and guiding influence on the artists later known as the Florida Highwaymen. While not a formal instructor, he offered instruction, critique, and encouragement to several members of the group, shaping their approach to composition, palette, and plein-air technique. His legacy extends beyond his own canvases, having helped foster a movement that would bring national recognition to Florida’s artistic heritage. Terms & Conditions Summary By bidding, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to all terms and conditions of this auction provided prior to registration. Below is a summary of important information. Please Read Everything! 1. Bidding and Buyer Acknowledgment a. Prior to bidding, read the description, terms, and conditions carefully. b. All sales are final. No refunds, returns, or credit card credits will be issued. 2. Invoices and Payment a. Invoices totaling $10,000.00 or more must be paid by wire transfer. b. Payment is due within 5 days of invoice issuance. c. For added security and expedited service, wire transfer is the recommended method of payment. 3. Descriptions and Condition Reports a. The description and condition report are provided solely for your convenience, based on information supplied by the consignor. b. CAA is not responsible for any discrepancies between this information and other opinions. c. All items are sold “as is, where is, ” with no guarantees or warranties expressed or implied. 4. Buyer’s Premium a. A 23% Buyer’s Premium will be added to all winning bids. 5. Shipping a. All items will be shipped only to the registered address — no exceptions. b. You will receive a separate email for your invoice and secure fraud protected payment link. S/AEB1-OYSSS
Monumental painting by Albert Ernest (Beanie) Backus (Florida, 1906 - 1990) "The Bay at Priestman's River" - 1960's Jamaica. Monumental oil on canvas painting. Signed lower right. Highwayman painting. This is the largest painting by the artist to have ever been to auction. Backus had a studio in the cove in Jamaica, near where the view of this painting depicts. Comes with authentication by the Backus museum. This painting was also featured on the front page of the Fort Pierce Tribune on September 24, 1995. The story featured the consignor's - Dr. Richard Allen and wife, Barbara - and how they acquired the painting after traveling to Priestman's River Bay Jamaica Sight Size: 42 x 90 in. Overall Framed Size: 47.5 x 94.5 in.
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906-1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Pencil Sketch Print - Signed in print lower right. "Backwoods". Visible Image measures 10.5x13.5 framed to overall size of 13.5x16. THIS IS A REPRODUCTION. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 –1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on artist board Brush and palette knife - signed lower right Circa 1959. Mid-day reflection, situates itself centrally within the Indian River School’s developmental lineage and speaks to broader American pictorial traditions. It channels Robert Henri’s imperative that art be inseparable from life, answering the call to “Be of your own time, of what you can get to know personally” through an intimate study of a tropical wetland. The work is both document and meditation, a localized vision elevated by rigorous pictorial thinking. The canvas presents a close-up view of a dynamic marshland, presumably Bud Adams Ranch in its compositional echoes of Tropical Lights page 168. Pine and palm crowd the foreground, their forms carved with confident, descriptive strokes. Water channels thread through the vegetation, reflecting a sky that is at once brilliant and nuanced. The surface shimmers with aquamarine and jade, while sunlit reeds and damp earth register in warm ochres and cool umbers. Every element is rendered with representational fidelity yet liberated from photographic literalism. Light is the painting’s organizing principle and obsessive subject. Backus treats illumination as an active agent that sculpts form, dictates chroma, and announces time of day. Color is modulated by light rather than applied as mere local tone; thin glazes and luminous passages create optical vibration where sun meets water. The palette shifts subtly across the plane to indicate seasonality and mood, from the high-key brilliance of midday to the softer, honeyed glow of late afternoon. To the trained eye the surface feels like a woven carpet of light, each thread revealing atmospheric condition and temporal specificity. Backus arranges positive and negative space with a disciplined sense of balance, allowing open water and sky to counterpoint dense vegetative masses. Diagonals of channel and frond guide the eye in a measured sweep, producing a dynamic equilibrium. Earlier palette-knife bravura yields here to refined brushwork, emphasizing line, edge, and tonal progression. The handling is expressive yet controlled, a synthesis of expanded Impressionist color and Hudson River School structural rigor This wetland painting exemplifies Backus’s mature rendering of lived observation, compositional discipline, and luminous technique. It stands as a testament to the Indian River School’s capacity to translate local light and life into enduring pictorial poetry. Board measures 16x20 framed to overall size of 23x27. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas - signed lower right. Executed in full palette knife. Dynamic symmetry is breathed into the very heart of this work with emphasis on a structural principle Backus absorbed at Parsons and adapted to tropical subject matter. The shoreline, palm clusters, and receding surf form a series of interlocking diagonals and arcs that guide the eye in a controlled, rhythmic sweep from foreground to horizon. Negative space is used economically: open water and sky balance the dense, precisely carved foliage, producing a sense of measured repose. The composition’s equilibrium is not static; it is a poised choreography—palms “dance” along the shore, their gestures echoing the wave forms below. Backus’s technique here is a hybrid: earlier palette-knife bravura has been tempered in favor of refined brushwork. Paint application varies—thin, luminous glazes for the sea and sky; more tactile, incisive strokes for leaves and trunk textures—yielding a surface that reads as both tactile and luminous. The handling of light owes much to an expanded Impressionism—Monet’s influence is evident in the modulation of color and the insistence on optical vibration—yet Backus retains a commitment to delineation that keeps forms legible and botanically convincing. This work synthesizes multiple lineages. The Hudson River School’s compositional drama and structured landscape—seen in the work of Inness, Homer, and Bierstadt—resonates in Backus’s emphasis on pictorial architecture and tonal progression. Simultaneously, the Indian River movement’s atmospheric subtlety inform the painting’s intimate scale and local specificity. The result is a Jamaican masterpiece that is both a study in place and a disciplined exercise in pictorial harmony. Canvas measures 25x30 framed to overall size of 30x35. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 –1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on canvas - signed lower right. Full Palette knife. Hyacinth at the inlet presents a luminous coastal study defined by strict atmospheric perspective and shimmering blue skies. Tranquil water mirrors a dense tropical jungle; purple water-hyacinths punctuate the reflective plane while egrets animate the midground. Backus’s blended foliage—layered glazes and precise brushwork—yields clear tonal gradation. Influenced by Monet, this example reads as a clearer rendering of a Monet study Backus examined (see Tropical Lights, p.99; St. Lucie River for Gov. Bob Graham, p.168). Canvas measures 24x30 framed to overall size of 29x35.Condition: Very Fine
Albert Ernest Backus (American, 1906-1990) Florida Backwater Landscape, Signed A.E. Backus lower right, Oil on canvas, 22 1/4" x 26 1/2", Framed-26 3/4" x 31"
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906-1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Pencil Sketch Print - Signed in print lower right 1972. "Early Morning - Florida". Visible Image measures 9.5x13.5 framed to overall size of 17x21. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906–1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Giclee on canvas - signed in print lower right. Titled "The Net Menders". Hand-textured giclée with COA from A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, Inc. Limited edition 7 of 500. Canvas measures 20x24 framed to overall size of 23x27.
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906–1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas - signed lower right. Backus's wedding portrait of Emily Mae Peed Beacom, painted for her husband John Parker Beacom, reads as a tender fusion of portraiture and regional lyricism. Backus employs his mature brush touch to model a serene, dignified likeness, lending flesh and fabric to a sculptural presence. A luminous, open sky and a discreet aviation motif—suggestive of the groom’s Air Force service—introduce narrative depth. The composition balances intimate realism with poetic atmosphere, preserving a personal moment as a quietly heroic, timeless image. Board measures 25x30 framed to overall size of 30x36.Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906–1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas - signed lower right. Palette knife and brush. Adams Ranch presents a golden sawgrass meadow punctuated by scattered palms and anchored at the right by a single young live oak. In his mature palette-knife idiom, billowing clouds and layered impasto establish a tactile sky that converses with the luminous marsh. Backus deploys atmospheric perspective to dissolve distant forms into warm haze while richly shaded bark and precise modeling confer sculptural weight to trunks. The result is a harmonized study of light, texture, and place that preserves a vanished Florida wildness with formal rigor and poetic warmth. Canvas measures 16x20 framed to overall size of 23x27. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas - signed lower right. Executed in full palette knife. Dan’s Point from his peak palette-knife period circa 1958 is a master class in tactile coastal lyricism. Thick, incisive palette knife passages carve a lone palm that anchors the shore while sweeping fronds dramatize wind and motion. Cascading breakers are rendered with layered impasto that catches light, and a measured atmospheric perspective dissolves the surf into a hazy, distant horizon. The composition balances monumentality and intimacy, its textured surface and chromatic restraint preserving a vanished virgin tropic in perpetuity and asserting Backus’s singular ability to translate elemental force into enduring pictorial presence. Professionally conserved and relined canvas measures 25x30 framed to overall size of 32x37. Condition: Very Fine
Albert Ernest (Bean) Backus (American, 1906-1990) Florida Everglades, 1957 oil on canvasboard signed A E Backus and dated (lower right) 16 x 19 7/8 in. Property of a California Collector
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Pencil Sketch Print - Signed in print lower right. "Canal Bank - Florida". Image measures 10x13 framed to overall size of 18x22. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas Board - signed lower right. Executed in Palette knife. This 1960s Backus painting, rendered on early Albemarle canvas board, captures a serene beach access at Vero Beach, Florida during his full palette knife period. Thick, expressive strokes sculpt the swaying palms, sunlit sand, and rolling surf with tactile energy. The textured impasto technique evokes the warmth of late afternoon light one can feel the bean load a knife with thick, “buttery "paint and apply it with varied angles and pressure to build ridges and planes; the knife’s flat face lays broad swaths while the edge scores fine lines. He blends discrete color layers and catches light differently than brushed paint, so highlights and reflected light are applied last with a clean, bright stroke. Board measures 16x20 framed to overall size of 22x26. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas - signed lower right. Executed in brush and palette knife. Canvas measures 30x40 framed to overall size of 38x48. Albert E. Backus’s large-format, palette-knife oil reads as a theatrical yet intimate Florida tableau: Backus’s reputation for vivid, regionally rooted Florida landscapes and a lifelong preoccupation with light and atmosphere inform every decision on the canvas, so that sky, water, and vegetation feel like variations on a single luminous idea rather than literal reportage; the palette-knife impasto builds billowing, sculptural clouds whose ridged surfaces catch and break light, while the river’s surface is rendered as a series of tactile planes that reflect and refract color, making the water feel both crystalline and painterly; along the riverbank, palms stand as vertical gestures—their fronds suggested with confident, knife-driven strokes—while scattered pines provide a counterpoint of endurance and place, their darker, linear marks anchoring the composition; a single dead branch lodged in the riverbed functions as a compact, almost emblematic device—a memento mori or a moment of interruption that focuses the eye and gives the scene a moral axis, its angular silhouette interrupting the water’s shimmer and inviting reflection rather than narrative explanation; nearby, purple water lilies float like deliberate color notes, their unusual hue shifting the painting toward twilight or memory and tempering the greens with a poetic, slightly surreal chord; composed at large scale—likely in the 1970s when Backus was synthesizing decades of observation into bolder, more experimental surfaces—the canvas reads as both summation and exploration: scale allows the clouds to billow across the picture plane and gives the knife’s texture room to register as a physical presence, so the viewer is asked to step back for the atmospheric sweep and step forward to read the paint as object; in this way the work bridges regional nostalgia and modern concerns about surface and materiality, turning a Florida riverbank into a textured meditation on transience and renewal, where the dead branch intensifies rather than negates the surrounding life and the lilies and palms insist on cyclical regeneration; such a painting would be prized by regional collectors and museums for its combination of local specificity, tactile bravura, and the quiet symbolic economy that makes a single compositional element carry emotional weight. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906-1990) Florida Artist Giclee. Giclee on canvas - signed in print lower right. Titled "Royal Poinciana. 1977". Hand-textured giclée with stamp on verso from A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, Inc. Limited edition 294 of 1000. Canvas measures 18.5x23 framed to overall size of 23x28. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 – 1990), Indian River School founder of the Highwaymen movement- Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Lithograph of "St. Lucie River- 1996", #511/1000 by the Fort Pierce Arts League, Image is 18.5x23 on matting sized 24x28, Unframed. Condition: New in Plastic - Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 – 1990), Indian River School founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Lithograph of "Mangroves-1987", # 217/1000 Limited Edition by the A.E. Backus Gallery and Museum. Image is18.5x23 on matting sized 24x28, Unframed. Condition: New In Plastic - Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas Panel - Signed lower right. A brilliant full palette knife "Lone Hammock scene" (ref: p59 Tropical lights). Post war painting circa 1957-1962 during a period when Backus was mentoring Harold Newton and Alfred Hair. These boards were the same that he was providing to Harold Newton. Board measures 16x20 framed to overall size of 20x24. Condition: Very Fine
Monumental painting by Albert Ernest (Beanie) Backus (Florida, 1906 - 1990) "The Bay at Priestman's River" - 1960's Jamaica. Monumental oil on canvas painting. Signed lower right. Highwayman painting. This is the largest painting by the artist to have ever been to auction. Backus had a studio in the cove in Jamaica, near where the view of this painting depicts. Comes with authentication by the Backus museum. This painting was also featured on the front page of the Fort Pierce Tribune on September 24, 1995. The story featured the consignor's - Dr. Richard Allen and wife, Barbara - and how they acquired the painting after traveling to Priestman's River Bay Jamaica Sight Size: 42 x 90 in. Overall Framed Size: 47.5 x 94.5 in.
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 –1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on canvas board signed lower right. Early period work of historic importance. A testimony to Backus's acceptance as an accomplished artist at a youthful age. Presumably painted during one of his Thursday visits at Eden lawn Plantation. Founded in 1871, Eden lawn is a historic pineapple plantation which later served as refuge cottages for soldiers passing through by ship. Also home to Jenson beaches first post office. Backus and Duke Merwin were friends who attended art school together at Parsons school of design in New York. This scene of Savanna's wetland behind Eden lawn is similar to the one given to Dukes mother by Backus and later inherited by Duke Merwin. Paintings such as this are part of the Eden lawn culture and appropriately remained on the Eden lawn plantation property. Accomplished in brush and palette knife. Verso reveals that the board was cut by Backus to fit into this Original Backus frame. Board measures 14x18 framed to an overall size of 19x23. Albert Ernest Backus was a largely self-taught artist from Fort Pierce, Florida who created the Highwaymen movement - capturing the images of the timeless beauty of the Florida landscape. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. West Indies Folio Pencil Sketch Print - Signed in print. Outstanding example from the Original Backus Folio created by the Ft. Pierce Art League. "From Navy Island - Jamaica" Print measures 11x14 framed to overall size of 19x23.Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas Board - signed lower right. Executed in a blend of brush and palette knife. Oil on Canvas Board - signed lower right. Soft linen canvas texture enhances the flower feel and caress the immensely detailed imagery of the Scarlet Hibiscus. Lifelike emulation of the fleshy calyces, delicate pedals and flecks of pollen are splendidly captured in eternal oil. Board measures 12x16 framed to overall size of 17x21.Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (January 3, 1906 – June 6, 1990) Florida Artist. West Indies Folio Pencil Sketch Print - Signed in print. Outstanding example from the Original Backus Folio created by the Ft. Pierce Art League. "Old Pine" Print measures 11x14 framed to overall size of 20x24. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906-1990) Florida Artist Giclee. Giclee on canvas - signed in print lower right. Titled "Early Summer on The Indian River". A classic Old Florida scene of a Royal Poinciana tree in full bloom along the Indian River. Hand-textured giclée with stamp on verso from A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, Inc. Limited edition 12 of 500. Canvas measures 20x24framed to overall size of 24.5x28.5. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas - signed lower right. Dated 1928. Executed in brush. Leola Fisk Odom became a pillar of Fort Pierce society after relocating there From Altoona. Over her 77-year residency, she co-owned Odom’s Liquors for fifty years and established herself as a savvy business woman whose ventures were central to local commerce. During World War II, Odom contributed to the war effort through the U.S. War Department and infused Fort Pierce’s social calendar with her characteristic grace. Active in the First United Methodist Church and as a member of the Hibiscus Circle of the Garden Club, she hosted gatherings that defined community life. Canvas measures 14x20 framed to overall size of 15x21. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (January 3, 1906 – June 6, 1990) Florida Artist. West Indies Folio Pencil Sketch Prints - Signed in print. Outstanding examples from the Original Backus Folio created by the Ft. Pierce Art League. "Crab Seller" and "Pine country" Prints measure 11x14 framed to overall size of 16x19. Condition: Very Fine
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (January 3, 1906 – June 6, 1990) Florida Artist. Lithograph of paper - signed lower right in print. This print commemorates the dedication of the A. E. Backus Gallery at the 1000 Brickell Avenue Building, May 6, 1996. Visible image measures 14x18 framed behind glass to overall size of 28x32. Condition: Fine. There are fold marks
Albert Ernest Backus (1906-1990 Florida) ''Boat and Palm Tree'' Oil on Board 8''x6'' Image. Signed l.r. Original bamboo style framing 9''x7''. Slight .25'' paint flake upper right. Overall excellent, original condition. Florida highwaymen artist.
Albert Ernest (Beanie) Backus, American (1906 - 1990) Oil on Canvas "Florida Waterways" (Florida Highwaymen) Signed Lower Right. Roberto J. Cayuso coa to accompany the lot. Measures 24" x 20". Frame measures 36-1/4" x 28-1/4". Condition: Good condition. Estimate 4000 - 8000 Domestic shipping Third party
This signed and numbered limited edition print by renowned Florida landscape artist A.E. Backus (1906-1990) captures a serene depiction of Florida's untouched wilderness, featuring an open pathway meandering through lush pine trees under a vast, cloud-filled sky. Backus, known for his masterful use of light and naturalistic portrayals of Florida's landscapes, conveys the tranquil beauty of the state's rural scenery. Numbered 82/1000 and hand-signed by Backus in the lower margin, this piece is framed under glass in a rustic distressed wood-tone frame with a double mat, enhancing its traditional aesthetic. A sought-after collectible for admirers of Florida Highwaymen-era art and American landscape painting. Artwork can be unframed and rolled for shipment. Artist: A.E. Backus (American, 1906-1990) Issued: 1977 Dimensions: 38.5"L x 29.5"H Country of Origin: United States
Albert Ernest (Beanie) Backus (American, 1906-1990), "The Sentinel," early impasto oil painting on wood panel. This tropical palm landscape depicts a cluster of palm trees bathed in warm light, showcasing Backus' signature style with thick, expressive brushstrokes. Signed in the lower right corner and presented in a rustic wood frame. As a leading figure of the Indian River School, Backus influenced the Florida Highwaymen movement and is regarded as the Dean of Florida painters. Accompanied by family provenance paperwork from the estate. Description created with SnapGenie Work Size: 17.5 x 13.5 in. Dimensions: 23 X 19.5 X 2 in. Condition: Fair overall vintage condition, with moderate age-related toning, surface wear, visible craquelure, paint losses, and signs of prior restoration, including in-painting throughout. Staining is present on the original canvas verso. The frame shows storage wear along edges and corners. This condition statement reflects an opinion, not a statement of fact. Bidders are encouraged to inspect items in person or through an agent. Estate fresh to the market. Shipping: Hill Auction Gallery does not offer in-house shipping for this item. Gallery will refer third party shippers for all domestic and international buyers. Purchaser pick up available upon request. Local Delivery: Florida door-to-door hand delivery service available for this lot; contact Toti@Zemaqua.com for an estimate. Albert Ernest Backus - Provenance Albert Ernest Backus (American, 1906–1990), Four Paintings included in this auction, Lots 45, 46, 47, & 48; titled respectively: Destination in View, Mangroves on the Indian River, The Sentinel, and Three Palms by the Intracoastal Waterway Hill Auction Gallery. The Clinton S. and Grace I. Ezell Family Collection Owned from 1937 to 2025. Provenance and Family History These four original paintings by A.E. Backus—known affectionately to us as “Beanie”—have been in my family’s possession for nearly nine decades. They were not purchased, but rather gifted directly from the artist to my parents, Clinton S. Ezell and Grace I. Ezell, in the late 1930s while he worked under my father’s supervision at the Florida and Sunrise Theatres in Vero Beach and Fort Pierce, Florida. That gesture of friendship would become a part of our family's story, passed down through generations, and lovingly preserved until today. These four original paintings by A.E. Backus—known affectionately to us as “Beanie”, have been in my family A Fortuitous Friendship in Vero My parents, Clint and Grace, arrived in Vero Beach in early 1937, newlyweds from Atlanta in search of opportunity during the lingering years of the Great Depression. My father had secured a rare job as the manager of two coastal theaters, and with that came the beginning of their life in Florida—and the beginning of their relationship with Backus. At the time, Beanie was working as an illustrator for the same theaters, creating promotional material and posters. He answered to my father. But he wasn’t just another employee—he stood out. My parents quickly recognized in him a kind, soft-spoken man with a keen artistic mind and an even keener eye for Florida’s unique natural beauty. The friendship that developed between them was built on shared ambition, mutual respect, and the closeness that tends to grow in small, tight-knit towns. Even then, it was clear that illustration was only part of Beanie’s story. His true calling was fine art, and he worked tirelessly on his personal painting outside of work hours. He had studied in New York at what would become the Parsons School of Design and returned home determined to capture the spirit of Florida—not as a backdrop, but as a subject worthy of reverence. A Personal Gift from the Artist It was during this early period, when my father was likely his last civilian employer, that Backus gifted these four paintings to my parents. There was no fanfare, no exchange of money—just an act of generosity and friendship. He knew they would appreciate his work, and they did. These paintings hung in our home from the very beginning and followed us when our family moved to Jacksonville in 1946, after my unexpected arrival required a larger income and new opportunities. Beanie’s generosity was not unusual. It’s well known that he often gave his work away to friends, neighbors, and students. But to our family, these pieces were never just paintings. They were a connection to a person we deeply admired and a place we never stopped loving. Living with Backus’ Vision The scenes Backus painted—riverbanks, mangroves, sunlit waters—weren’t just aesthetic landscapes. They were visual biographies of Florida’s east coast, intimate studies of light and life along the Indian River and the Intracoastal. As a child, I vividly recall sitting in our Florida Room during summer storms, staring out at the wild palms and crashing rain—moments that mirrored the energy and stillness in Beanie’s work. Backus' art always held space in our home, just as he held a place in my parents’ hearts. Years later, in 1987, I drove from Jacksonville back to Fort Pierce, carrying all four paintings with me to ask him about them personally. He was then teaching a class and still producing work with the same conviction he had decades earlier. To my astonishment, he remembered one of the works in great detail—over fifty years later. He even referred to one as a masterpiece. That visit was my last time seeing him, but it brought everything full circle. Legacy and Letting Go Backus passed in 1990. In 1993, he was posthumously inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, recognized not only for his masterful landscapes but for his generosity and role as a mentor to an entire generation of artists. For me, these four paintings have always meant more than their aesthetic value. They’re reminders of a specific time and place—of young love, fresh starts, and artistic dreams. They speak of Vero Beach before the world discovered it, of a time when a man could give away his art simply because he believed in its message. Now, nearly 90 years later, I am the last Ezell in our family to own these works. With deep appreciation, I offer them to the world. May they bring you the same joy, memory, and sense of place they gave to us. Mary Grace Ezell March 26, 2025
Albert Ernest (Beanie) Backus (American, 1906-1990), "Mangroves on the Indian River," early original oil painting on canvas. This vibrant coastal scene captures the natural beauty of Florida 's Indian River with a windswept shoreline, lush mangroves, and iconic palm trees. Backus uses expressive impasto brushstrokes to create depth and movement, while the interplay of sunlight filtering through the trees and reflecting off the water showcases his mastery of light and shadow. Signed in the lower right corner, this work is presented in a vintage frame that complements its naturalistic theme. The painting is hand-inscribed with a prior owner's name and address on the verso. Painted in the tradition of the Indian River School, Backus was a leading exponent of this style and played a pivotal role in influencing the Florida Highwaymen Movement. Known as the Dean of Florida painters. Accompanied by family provenance paperwork from the estate. Description created with SnapGenie Work Size: 24 x 30 in. Dimensions: 29 X 35 X 2.5 in. Condition:Fair overall vintage condition, with moderate age-related toning, surface wear, visible craquelure, paint losses, and signs of prior restoration, including in-painting throughout. Staining is present on the original canvas verso. The frame shows storage wear along edges and corners. This condition statement reflects an opinion, not a statement of fact. Bidders are encouraged to inspect items in person or through an agent. Estate fresh to the market. Shipping: Hill Auction Gallery does not offer in-house shipping for this item. Gallery will refer third party shippers for all domestic and international buyers. Purchaser pick up available upon request. Local Delivery: Florida door-to-door hand delivery service available for this lot; contact Toti@Zemaqua.com for an estimate. Albert Ernest Backus - Provenance Albert Ernest Backus (American, 1906–1990), Four Paintings included in this auction, Lots 45, 46, 47, & 48; titled respectively: Destination in View, Mangroves on the Indian River, The Sentinel, and Three Palms by the Intracoastal Waterway Hill Auction Gallery. The Clinton S. and Grace I. Ezell Family Collection Owned from 1937 to 2025. Provenance and Family History These four original paintings by A.E. Backus—known affectionately to us as “Beanie”—have been in my family’s possession for nearly nine decades. They were not purchased, but rather gifted directly from the artist to my parents, Clinton S. Ezell and Grace I. Ezell, in the late 1930s while he worked under my father’s supervision at the Florida and Sunrise Theatres in Vero Beach and Fort Pierce, Florida. That gesture of friendship would become a part of our family's story, passed down through generations, and lovingly preserved until today. These four original paintings by A.E. Backus—known affectionately to us as “Beanie”, have been in my family A Fortuitous Friendship in Vero My parents, Clint and Grace, arrived in Vero Beach in early 1937, newlyweds from Atlanta in search of opportunity during the lingering years of the Great Depression. My father had secured a rare job as the manager of two coastal theaters, and with that came the beginning of their life in Florida—and the beginning of their relationship with Backus. At the time, Beanie was working as an illustrator for the same theaters, creating promotional material and posters. He answered to my father. But he wasn’t just another employee—he stood out. My parents quickly recognized in him a kind, soft-spoken man with a keen artistic mind and an even keener eye for Florida’s unique natural beauty. The friendship that developed between them was built on shared ambition, mutual respect, and the closeness that tends to grow in small, tight-knit towns. Even then, it was clear that illustration was only part of Beanie’s story. His true calling was fine art, and he worked tirelessly on his personal painting outside of work hours. He had studied in New York at what would become the Parsons School of Design and returned home determined to capture the spirit of Florida—not as a backdrop, but as a subject worthy of reverence. A Personal Gift from the Artist It was during this early period, when my father was likely his last civilian employer, that Backus gifted these four paintings to my parents. There was no fanfare, no exchange of money—just an act of generosity and friendship. He knew they would appreciate his work, and they did. These paintings hung in our home from the very beginning and followed us when our family moved to Jacksonville in 1946, after my unexpected arrival required a larger income and new opportunities. Beanie’s generosity was not unusual. It’s well known that he often gave his work away to friends, neighbors, and students. But to our family, these pieces were never just paintings. They were a connection to a person we deeply admired and a place we never stopped loving. Living with Backus’ Vision The scenes Backus painted—riverbanks, mangroves, sunlit waters—weren’t just aesthetic landscapes. They were visual biographies of Florida’s east coast, intimate studies of light and life along the Indian River and the Intracoastal. As a child, I vividly recall sitting in our Florida Room during summer storms, staring out at the wild palms and crashing rain—moments that mirrored the energy and stillness in Beanie’s work. Backus' art always held space in our home, just as he held a place in my parents’ hearts. Years later, in 1987, I drove from Jacksonville back to Fort Pierce, carrying all four paintings with me to ask him about them personally. He was then teaching a class and still producing work with the same conviction he had decades earlier. To my astonishment, he remembered one of the works in great detail—over fifty years later. He even referred to one as a masterpiece. That visit was my last time seeing him, but it brought everything full circle. Legacy and Letting Go Backus passed in 1990. In 1993, he was posthumously inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, recognized not only for his masterful landscapes but for his generosity and role as a mentor to an entire generation of artists. For me, these four paintings have always meant more than their aesthetic value. They’re reminders of a specific time and place—of young love, fresh starts, and artistic dreams. They speak of Vero Beach before the world discovered it, of a time when a man could give away his art simply because he believed in its message. Now, nearly 90 years later, I am the last Ezell in our family to own these works. With deep appreciation, I offer them to the world. May they bring you the same joy, memory, and sense of place they gave to us. Mary Grace Ezell March 26, 2025
Albert Ernest (Beanie) Backus (American, 1906-1990), "Three Palms by the Intercoastal Waterway," early original oil painting on wood board. This serene coastal scene depicts windswept palm trees against a hazy sky, capturing the atmospheric beauty of Florida 's coastline. The work showcases Backus' signature heavy impasto brushwork, creating rich texture and depth. Signed in the lower right and presented in a rustic wood frame. A leading figure of the Indian River School, Backus also influenced the Florida Highwaymen movement and is regarded as the Dean of Florida painters. Accompanied by family provenance paperwork from the estate. Description created with SnapGenie Work Size: 20 x 14 in. Dimensions: 25.5 X 19.75 X 1 in. Condition: Fair overall vintage condition, with moderate age-related toning, surface wear, visible craquelure, paint losses, and signs of prior restoration, including in-painting throughout. Staining is present on the original canvas verso. The frame shows storage wear along edges and corners. This condition statement reflects an opinion, not a statement of fact. Bidders are encouraged to inspect items in person or through an agent. Estate fresh to the market. Shipping: Hill Auction Gallery does not offer in-house shipping for this item. Gallery will refer third party shippers for all domestic and international buyers. Purchaser pick up available upon request. Local Delivery: Florida door-to-door hand delivery service available for this lot; contact Toti@Zemaqua.com for an estimate. Albert Ernest Backus - Provenance Albert Ernest Backus (American, 1906–1990), Four Paintings included in this auction, Lots 45, 46, 47, & 48; titled respectively: Destination in View, Mangroves on the Indian River, The Sentinel, and Three Palms by the Intracoastal Waterway Hill Auction Gallery. The Clinton S. and Grace I. Ezell Family Collection Owned from 1937 to 2025. Provenance and Family History These four original paintings by A.E. Backus—known affectionately to us as “Beanie”—have been in my family’s possession for nearly nine decades. They were not purchased, but rather gifted directly from the artist to my parents, Clinton S. Ezell and Grace I. Ezell, in the late 1930s while he worked under my father’s supervision at the Florida and Sunrise Theatres in Vero Beach and Fort Pierce, Florida. That gesture of friendship would become a part of our family's story, passed down through generations, and lovingly preserved until today. These four original paintings by A.E. Backus—known affectionately to us as “Beanie”, have been in my family A Fortuitous Friendship in Vero My parents, Clint and Grace, arrived in Vero Beach in early 1937, newlyweds from Atlanta in search of opportunity during the lingering years of the Great Depression. My father had secured a rare job as the manager of two coastal theaters, and with that came the beginning of their life in Florida—and the beginning of their relationship with Backus. At the time, Beanie was working as an illustrator for the same theaters, creating promotional material and posters. He answered to my father. But he wasn’t just another employee—he stood out. My parents quickly recognized in him a kind, soft-spoken man with a keen artistic mind and an even keener eye for Florida’s unique natural beauty. The friendship that developed between them was built on shared ambition, mutual respect, and the closeness that tends to grow in small, tight-knit towns. Even then, it was clear that illustration was only part of Beanie’s story. His true calling was fine art, and he worked tirelessly on his personal painting outside of work hours. He had studied in New York at what would become the Parsons School of Design and returned home determined to capture the spirit of Florida—not as a backdrop, but as a subject worthy of reverence. A Personal Gift from the Artist It was during this early period, when my father was likely his last civilian employer, that Backus gifted these four paintings to my parents. There was no fanfare, no exchange of money—just an act of generosity and friendship. He knew they would appreciate his work, and they did. These paintings hung in our home from the very beginning and followed us when our family moved to Jacksonville in 1946, after my unexpected arrival required a larger income and new opportunities. Beanie’s generosity was not unusual. It’s well known that he often gave his work away to friends, neighbors, and students. But to our family, these pieces were never just paintings. They were a connection to a person we deeply admired and a place we never stopped loving. Living with Backus’ Vision The scenes Backus painted—riverbanks, mangroves, sunlit waters—weren’t just aesthetic landscapes. They were visual biographies of Florida’s east coast, intimate studies of light and life along the Indian River and the Intracoastal. As a child, I vividly recall sitting in our Florida Room during summer storms, staring out at the wild palms and crashing rain—moments that mirrored the energy and stillness in Beanie’s work. Backus' art always held space in our home, just as he held a place in my parents’ hearts. Years later, in 1987, I drove from Jacksonville back to Fort Pierce, carrying all four paintings with me to ask him about them personally. He was then teaching a class and still producing work with the same conviction he had decades earlier. To my astonishment, he remembered one of the works in great detail—over fifty years later. He even referred to one as a masterpiece. That visit was my last time seeing him, but it brought everything full circle. Legacy and Letting Go Backus passed in 1990. In 1993, he was posthumously inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, recognized not only for his masterful landscapes but for his generosity and role as a mentor to an entire generation of artists. For me, these four paintings have always meant more than their aesthetic value. They’re reminders of a specific time and place—of young love, fresh starts, and artistic dreams. They speak of Vero Beach before the world discovered it, of a time when a man could give away his art simply because he believed in its message. Now, nearly 90 years later, I am the last Ezell in our family to own these works. With deep appreciation, I offer them to the world. May they bring you the same joy, memory, and sense of place they gave to us. Mary Grace Ezell March 26, 2025
Albert Ernest (Beanie) Backus (American, 1906-1990), Destination in View, early original oil painting on canvas. This dynamic Florida coastal scene features windswept palm trees under a bright sky, evoking a breezy shoreline. The thick impasto strokes and vibrant natural tones exemplify Backus’ style. Signed in the lower right and presented in a vintage wooden frame, the work reflects Backus’ mastery in capturing Florida’s warmth and atmosphere. A key figure in the Indian River School and a major influence on the Florida Highwaymen Movement, Backus is known as the Dean of Florida painters. Accompanied by family provenance paperwork from the estate. Description created with SnapGenie Work Size: 38 x 30 in. Dimensions: 44 X 36 X 2 in. Condition: Fair overall vintage condition, with moderate age-related toning, surface wear, visible craquelure, paint losses, and signs of prior restoration, including in-painting throughout. Staining is present on the original canvas verso. The frame shows storage wear along edges and corners. This condition statement reflects an opinion, not a statement of fact. Bidders are encouraged to inspect items in person or through an agent. Estate fresh to the market. Shipping: Hill Auction Gallery does not offer in-house shipping for this item. Gallery will refer third party shippers for all domestic and international buyers. Purchaser pick up available upon request. Local Delivery: Florida door-to-door hand delivery service available for this lot; contact Toti@Zemaqua.com for an estimate. Albert Ernest Backus - Provenance Albert Ernest Backus (American, 1906–1990), Four Paintings included in this auction, Lots 45, 46, 47, & 48; titled respectively: Destination in View, Mangroves on the Indian River, The Sentinel, and Three Palms by the Intracoastal Waterway Hill Auction Gallery. The Clinton S. and Grace I. Ezell Family Collection Owned from 1937 to 2025. Provenance and Family History These four original paintings by A.E. Backus—known affectionately to us as “Beanie”—have been in my family’s possession for nearly nine decades. They were not purchased, but rather gifted directly from the artist to my parents, Clinton S. Ezell and Grace I. Ezell, in the late 1930s while he worked under my father’s supervision at the Florida and Sunrise Theatres in Vero Beach and Fort Pierce, Florida. That gesture of friendship would become a part of our family's story, passed down through generations, and lovingly preserved until today. These four original paintings by A.E. Backus—known affectionately to us as “Beanie”, have been in my family A Fortuitous Friendship in Vero My parents, Clint and Grace, arrived in Vero Beach in early 1937, newlyweds from Atlanta in search of opportunity during the lingering years of the Great Depression. My father had secured a rare job as the manager of two coastal theaters, and with that came the beginning of their life in Florida—and the beginning of their relationship with Backus. At the time, Beanie was working as an illustrator for the same theaters, creating promotional material and posters. He answered to my father. But he wasn’t just another employee—he stood out. My parents quickly recognized in him a kind, soft-spoken man with a keen artistic mind and an even keener eye for Florida’s unique natural beauty. The friendship that developed between them was built on shared ambition, mutual respect, and the closeness that tends to grow in small, tight-knit towns. Even then, it was clear that illustration was only part of Beanie’s story. His true calling was fine art, and he worked tirelessly on his personal painting outside of work hours. He had studied in New York at what would become the Parsons School of Design and returned home determined to capture the spirit of Florida—not as a backdrop, but as a subject worthy of reverence. A Personal Gift from the Artist It was during this early period, when my father was likely his last civilian employer, that Backus gifted these four paintings to my parents. There was no fanfare, no exchange of money—just an act of generosity and friendship. He knew they would appreciate his work, and they did. These paintings hung in our home from the very beginning and followed us when our family moved to Jacksonville in 1946, after my unexpected arrival required a larger income and new opportunities. Beanie’s generosity was not unusual. It’s well known that he often gave his work away to friends, neighbors, and students. But to our family, these pieces were never just paintings. They were a connection to a person we deeply admired and a place we never stopped loving. Living with Backus’ Vision The scenes Backus painted—riverbanks, mangroves, sunlit waters—weren’t just aesthetic landscapes. They were visual biographies of Florida’s east coast, intimate studies of light and life along the Indian River and the Intracoastal. As a child, I vividly recall sitting in our Florida Room during summer storms, staring out at the wild palms and crashing rain—moments that mirrored the energy and stillness in Beanie’s work. Backus' art always held space in our home, just as he held a place in my parents’ hearts. Years later, in 1987, I drove from Jacksonville back to Fort Pierce, carrying all four paintings with me to ask him about them personally. He was then teaching a class and still producing work with the same conviction he had decades earlier. To my astonishment, he remembered one of the works in great detail—over fifty years later. He even referred to one as a masterpiece. That visit was my last time seeing him, but it brought everything full circle. Legacy and Letting Go Backus passed in 1990. In 1993, he was posthumously inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame, recognized not only for his masterful landscapes but for his generosity and role as a mentor to an entire generation of artists. For me, these four paintings have always meant more than their aesthetic value. They’re reminders of a specific time and place—of young love, fresh starts, and artistic dreams. They speak of Vero Beach before the world discovered it, of a time when a man could give away his art simply because he believed in its message. Now, nearly 90 years later, I am the last Ezell in our family to own these works. With deep appreciation, I offer them to the world. May they bring you the same joy, memory, and sense of place they gave to us. Mary Grace Ezell March 26, 2025
BACKUS, Albert Ernest "Beanie", (American, 1906-1990): Indian River landscape with Royal Poinciana and palm trees, buoy in river, Oil on Canvas, signed lower right, 20" x 24", framed 29.5" x 33.5". Condition: Craquelure.
Backus, Albert Ernest "Beanie" (1906 - 1990) Indian River School, founder of the Highwaymen movement - Florida Hall of Fame Artist. Oil on Canvas Board - signed lower right and verso. Titled and dated by the artist. Original hand made Backus frame. Albert E. Backus' 1966. "Backwoods with Birds" captures the ethereal beauty of a Florida wetland at dawn. Billowing pink and peach clouds grace the sky, casting a warm glow over the tranquil oasis. Backus' expert use of color and light reflects in the still waters, creating a mesmerizing interplay of hues. The birds, rendered with delicate precision, enhance the scene’s serenity. His palette knife technique adds texture and depth, inviting viewers to lose themselves in this resplendent reflection of natural beauty. Board measures 12x16 framed to overall size of 16x20. Albert Ernest Backus was a largely self-taught artist from Fort Pierce, Florida who created the Highwaymen movement -capturing images of the timeless beauty of the Florida landscape.
