$26,000
Estimate: $25,000 - $40,000
American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists
Auction: December 6, 2015 2:00:00 PM EDT
Signed 'Schofield' bottom right; also with artist and title on label verso, oil on canvas
25 3/4 x 30 in. (65.4 x 76.2cm)
In a Newcomb Macklin frame
Provenance: Grand Central Art Galleries, New York, New York.
The Collection of James Patton, Esq., Brookline, Massachusetts.
Private Collection, Rhode Island.
EXHIBITED:
"Exhibition of Paintings and Sculpture Contributed by Artist Members", Grand Central Art Galleries, New York, New York, 1931.
NOTE:
This brightly coloured harbour scene was painted by Schofield in the late 1920s or the early 1930s and the frame is of a similar type to those used by the artist during this period, maybe originally fitted with glass. The exact location of the scene is unknown but two letters affixed to the reverse from Edwin S. Barrie, Director of Grand Central Art Galleries, to the owner, James Patton, provide an outline:
"Your painting by W. Elmer Schofield, N.A., entitled "The Little Haven" was painted on the coast of Cornwall where Mr. Schofield painted for several years. I consider it a very characteristic example of his work and one of his best canvases." [1]
Barrie was evidently impressed by the quality of this canvas and felt it was typical of Schofield's output at this stage of his career. There is also a brief outline of the artist's career sent by Barrie to Patton; like the letters, it is on Grand Central Art Galleries letterhead. 'The Little Haven' was exhibited in 'Exhibition of Paintings and Sculpture Contributed by Artist Members' for 1931 as '23. 'The Little Haven 26 x 30"' and reproduced in the Year Book for that year. It appears that 'The Little Haven' was Schofield's contribution to the Grand Central Art Galleries for 1931 and, in conjunction with the correspondence, it seems plausible to suggest Patton acquired it from this exhibition. It is unclear if Patton purchased this work or acquired it as subscribing lay member (a draw of lots decided the order of choice from the exhibition by the lay members). The letters and documents on the reverse are pasted across the stretcher and frame, further supporting the hypothesis of the frame being contemporary. A seemingly related 14 x 16 inch oil on panel study was included in Freeman's 16th June 2005 sale, lot 170.
[1] Edwin S. Barrie to James Patton, 16th November 1931, pasted to reverse of stretcher/frame.
James D. W. Church © 2015