Abstract Modernist oil painting by Zoute. Oil on canvas mounted on board. Painted in circa 1940's. Zoute (Born-Leon Salter, 1903-1976) was self-taught and well exhibited during his lifetime. He painted from 1940-1954 (he stopped painting at this later date due to his wife's illness and death and never painted again) A self-taught artist, he was part of the great modern wave. He exhibited with many of the most notable artists of the day such as Picasso, Braque, Klee and others at the invitation only State University of Iowa International Show 1946-1947. He had numerous one man shows at NYC galleries, Mortimer Levitt / Joseph Heller and museums such as The Whitney. At his first showing in New York, The New York Times critic referred to Zoute's colors as eclectic, scrawny, vicious and highly keyed. Art digest called his use of color a "thundering orchestration." He was a long-time friend and a mentor to Grandma Moses. He is an undiscovered rare gem.