Tavern Sign c. 1940

This Tavern Sign was made by John Matulis, we're not sure exactly when. The artist has rendered this piece in what seems like a careful, painstaking way. The colour palette is quite muted, a kind of dusty realism, like it's faded in the sun over time. Look at the way the lion is rendered – a kind of gentle awkwardness. It’s in the details, like the strange little swish of the tail, or the kind, human eyes. There's something about that slight ungainliness which is so appealing. You can almost smell the pub, feel the sawdust on the floor. This is a painting that isn’t afraid to be honest, to be a bit rough around the edges, and that’s what makes it so charming. Matulis feels like a folk artist with a unique vision. Reminds me a little of the work of Bill Traylor, in that it offers us a glimpse into a very personal, and very particular, world. Art doesn’t always have to be polished to be profound.