Images(4)

Portrait of Donnie Shell

Object number2017.65.13

Artist Dennis Karchner

Date2010

MediumOil paint; Masonite; Wood; Foamcore; Metal; Nylon(?); Plastic; Adhesive

Credit LineGift of Arthur Joseph Rooney, Jr.

DescriptionFramed rectangular oil painting on Masonite. Painting depicts waist-length portrait of male football player straight on. Figure wears Pittsburgh Steelers football uniform and stands with proper left leg bent with proper left arm resting on knee. Figure has black hair, beard, and mustache. Background is light gray. Painted black wooden frame with textured surface and brushed silver bead trim around opening.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Framed): 24.063 × 20 × 1.25 in. (61.1 × 50.8 × 3.2 cm)
Height x Width (Sight size): 19.563 × 15.5 in. (49.7 × 39.4 cm)
SignedArtist signature painted in black in bottom left corner “© KARCHNER - 2010”.
InscriptionsPlayer has white “31” on chest, partial white “1” on proper right shoulder, and partial white “3” on proper left shoulder.
Historical NotesMore than 30 years ago, Art Rooney, Jr. and his wife Kay visited the Circle Art Gallery in San Diego, California. By the time they left, a new passion had been born. Unable to buy a seascape that had sold while they shopped, Rooney purchased a portrait instead. Painted by Merv Corning, the work featured Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver Isaac Curtis, a player Rooney admired. Over the next several years Rooney returned to the gallery while in San Diego on scouting trips or at Steelers’ games and bought more of Corning’s art. Eventually Corning called him, beginning a friendship and artistic partnership that lasted until the artist passed away in 2006. Rooney gradually transitioned from a buyer of art, to commissioning specific pieces. He began to collect what he knew and loved – paintings that depicted members of the great Steelers’ teams of the 1970s. Rooney had scouted many of these players and had come to know and respect them as athletes, but also as men. Over time Art Rooney’s collection has broadened to include pieces by two other artists and to represent his life, his work, and the special relationships he developed through football. Originally from Clearfield, Pa., Dennis Karchner began drawing as a young child. He studied at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. After years working in the screen-printing business, he returned to his first love, drawing and painting. Based in Cody, Wyoming, Karchner is known for his Western art, images of native peoples, cowboys, and even current outdoorsmen, such as the Steelers’ Brett Keisel. His pencil and oil renderings are rich in detail and use the raw, natural landscape of the West as a background. After seeing a portrait Karchner painted of broadcaster Curt Gowdy, Art Rooney Jr. contacted him. The two have worked together for the past six years to capture “the warriors” of the gridiron in paint. This painting features Art Rooney, Sr.’s brother Dan – The Chief’s baseball teammate, lifelong friend, and religious counselor.Label TextSigned undrafted by the Steelers in 1974, Shell excelled at strong safety. He played in 201 games for the Steelers in 11 seasons and retired as the NFL strong safety career leader in interceptions with 51. A five time Pro Bowler, Shell was critical to the Steelers’ victories in Super Bowl XIII and XIV, preventing opposing touchdowns.

Related person Donnie Shell (born 1952)

Collector Arthur Joseph Rooney Jr.

Related institution Pittsburgh Steelers

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