Signed verso "F. Kastner" for Fenton Kastner (American, 1915-2008), dated 1955, and titled "Waterfront-IV". Old label verso inscribed with artist's name and title. A dynamic, mid-century abstract oil comprising overlapping layers of onyx black, cobalt blue and gold contrasted against a variegated ivory and parchment background. This notable California artist, sculptor, and print-maker first studied at San Francisco State University, receiving his BA in Fine Arts in 1937. During WWII, he served the US army Medical Corps in London as an artist and model-maker. Following his return to California, he settled in San Francisco where he continued his studies and, subsequently, exhibited widely and with success over a long career, including at Maxwell Galleries (1974) where he was the recipient of four purchase awards. In addition to working as an artist and educator, Kastner was also a Museum Curator and, in 1965, was appointed curator of the Legion of Honor.