- 878
American School, 19th Century
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- American School
- An historic painting of a Maine island – thought to be House Island, Casco Bay, Maine
- oil on canvas
- 17 1/2 in. by 23 1/2 in.
Painted circa 1850; in what appears to be the original frame and on the original stretchers.
According to Philip Conkling, founder and former president of the Island Institute in Rockland, Maine, the painting appears to depict House Island located approximately midway between the Portland waterfront and Peaks Island. House Island was the first island settled in Casco Bay—perhaps as early as the 1660s—and was continuously occupied through the early decades of the 20th century.
House Island is perhaps 15 – 20 acres, trending northeast-southwest, with two equally sized parts connected in the center by a beach. The height of land of House Island is a broad knob 50 feet above sea level on the southwestern part of the island with a ledge that trends out into the water.
The island depicted in the painting looks to be five or six acres in size based on estimates of the height of a story-and-a-half-tall house at the height of the land, which could correspond to the southwestern part of House Island. The island in the painting terminates at a ledge extending into the water at the right hand side of the painting with a broad expanse of bay in the background that also corresponds to the geography of House Island. I would surmise that the painter would have painted the scene from a northern perspective looking almost due south, perhaps from the tip of Little Diamond Island. The sails in the background would be sailing vessels in outer Casco Bay.
According to Philip Conkling, founder and former president of the Island Institute in Rockland, Maine, the painting appears to depict House Island located approximately midway between the Portland waterfront and Peaks Island. House Island was the first island settled in Casco Bay—perhaps as early as the 1660s—and was continuously occupied through the early decades of the 20th century.
House Island is perhaps 15 – 20 acres, trending northeast-southwest, with two equally sized parts connected in the center by a beach. The height of land of House Island is a broad knob 50 feet above sea level on the southwestern part of the island with a ledge that trends out into the water.
The island depicted in the painting looks to be five or six acres in size based on estimates of the height of a story-and-a-half-tall house at the height of the land, which could correspond to the southwestern part of House Island. The island in the painting terminates at a ledge extending into the water at the right hand side of the painting with a broad expanse of bay in the background that also corresponds to the geography of House Island. I would surmise that the painter would have painted the scene from a northern perspective looking almost due south, perhaps from the tip of Little Diamond Island. The sails in the background would be sailing vessels in outer Casco Bay.
Provenance
Descended in a Maine family.
Condition
Unlined; some flyspeck; with break in canvas about 1/2 in. in clouds above proper left border of island.
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.
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.