Oscar E. Berninghaus 1874-1952

Boatmen's Bank, St. Louis, Missouri, 1938 (acquired directly from the artist)
Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1997

Gordon E. Sanders, Oscar E. Berninghaus, Taos, New Mexico: Master Painter of American Indians and the Frontier West, Taos, New Mexico, 1985, pp. 90-92, 135

Canvas is not lined (a foam-core backing under the stretcher protects the painting from the back) 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.

The 'J.M. White', named after James M. White, a merchant and partner of one of Boatmen Bank's original trustees, was considered one of the finest and most elegant steamboats of its time.  Although she never raced, it was thought that she could have bettered the record set by the 'Robert E. Lee' for the fastest run from New Orleans to St. Louis.  Unfortunately, in 1889 the 'J.M. White' was destroyed by fire.

The ship was built with two objectives in mind; the first, to haul cotton and other freight to New Orleans and the second, to attract heavy passenger traffic.  To accomplish the latter objective, her main cabin was 260 feet long and covered by carpet specially woven in one piece and imported from Belgium.  The finest line, china and sliver decorated the tables.  The state rooms were large and luxurious according to standards of the day.

This painting is one of a series of of six works commissioned by the Boatman's Bank in 1936 and completed by 1938. Berninghaus was asked to depict the various means by which Americans traveled during the latter part of the 19^th century.  By the mid-1930s, Berninghaus had settled in Taos permanently and was a successful and financially independent artist.  But, he would occasionally take commissions from large corporations based in his hometown, St. Louis.  Boatman's Bank, considered the oldest bank west of the Mississippi, had been established in 1847 as  a savings institution for working class people, many of whom were boatmen on the Mississippi River.  The bank prided itself on its fine art collection.