Kenneth Frazier 1867-1949

FAR Gallery, New York
Marie Harriman Gallery, New York
(Sale:  Sotheby's, New York, September 14, 1995, lot 235)
Purchased from the above sale by the present owner

Houston, Texas, Hooks-Epstein Galleries, 1976
Amarillo, Texas, Amarillo Art Center, 1977
Greensburg, Pennsylvania, The Westmoreland County Museum of Art; New York, FAR Gallery; Loretto, Pennsylvania, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Kenneth Frazier, 1867-1949:  American Impressionist, 1979-1980, cat. no.23, pp. xi and 2, illustrated plate 33
San Jose, California, San Jose Museum of Art, 1980-1981

Canvas is not lined. SURFACE: in good condition UNDER ULTRA VIOLET: no apparent inpainting
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

When Frazier was a young art student in Paris in 1889-90, Impressionism was the major art movement.   While he wasn't directly involved, he admired and knew many leading contemporary artists and writers.  In this painting he recalls those heady days of his youth and captures several of the major figures of the time.  In the catalogue for the 1979-80 exhibition, Kenneth Frazier, 1867-1949: American Impressionist, Paul Chew writes of the present painting, "It was in Brittany that he had painted a fantasy group, Memories of the 90's of his more outstanding acquaintances.  Prominent in the group is Oscar Wilde seated at the table with an unidentified friend, and Paul Verlaine stands behind them with his unkempt beard and black silk Chinese hat.  The two front figures, both English artists, are Charles Condor, and William Rothenstein who is holding a pencil up to the caricature-like female figure.  Toulouse-Lautrec is wearing a red-striped jersey while the bearded Monet is seated next to him.  Whistler is standing in the right background wearing a frockcoat and a monicle in his right eye."