Joe (Joseph) Stefanelli (1921 Philadelphia/Pennsylvania/USA - 2017 Lake Pacid/New York City/USA) "The Primadonnas". Original title Large-format work by Stefanelli, who belonged to the New York School of Abstract Expressionism, alongside Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Franz Kline. Stefanelli took part in the "New York Painting and Sculpture Annuals" in 1951 and 1954-1957, which also included the legendary "9th Street Art Exhibition of Paintings and Sculpture". Its opening in May 1951 by Leo Castelli can be regarded as the official birth of Abstract Expressionism. Stefanelli exhibited at the Poindexter Gallery in 1957, 1958 and 1960, which was of great importance for the art movement. His works are represented in the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Art Institute of Chicago, among others; in Germany, the Ludwig Museum in Koblenz presented a retrospective in 2006. Oil on canvas. L. o. signed and dated (19)58. (19)58. Verso titled a. dat. 1958; label of the Poindexter Gallery, New York City a. label of the Jean Outland Chrysler Collection, Norfolk Museum (donated by Jean Outland Chrysler 1967). 142.5 cm x 198.5 cm. Studio moulding. Provenance: Dissolution of the estate of a South German private collection - Part I. Oil on canvas. Signed and dated (19)58. Further titled and dated 1958 on the reverse, labels of the Poindexter Gallery, New York City, and the Jean Outland Chrysler Collection, Norfolk Museum.