05-16-200305-17-2003
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2194Boston
May 16, 2003 06:00 PMCalender
79

George Inness (American, 1825-1894) Fishing

Sell one like this
$61,688$52,500
Auction: Sale #2194 - 2194Location: BostonDate / Time: May 16, 2003 6:00PM

Description:

George Inness (American, 1825-1894)

Fishing
Signed and dated "G Inness 1867" l.l., identified "...gift of John R. Hall" on label from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on the reverse, and partial Paris stencil on the reverse.
Oil on board, 12 x 18 in. (30.5 x 45.8 cm),in a broad strip frame.
Condition: Subtle surface grime, gentle curve to support.

Provenance: Deaccessioned from the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Exhibitions: Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1937.

Publications: LeRoy Ireland, The Works o George Inness: An Illustrated Catalogue Raisonne (University of Texas Press; Austin and London, 1965),entry 404, pp. 101-102.
This work will be included in Michael Quick's forthcoming catalogue raisonne.

N.B. George Inness was born to a large family in Newburgh, New York, the son of a grocer. He showed interest in drawing from an early age, and was encouraged by local teachers in the Newark area, where the family moved in 1829 or 1830. Thwarted in pursuing an art career by his family and recurring bouts of epilepsy, Inness moved to New York City in 1841. He took a position as a map engraver with the firm of Sherman and Smith, teaching himself to paint during his off hours. At this time he also studied briefly with the French immigrant painter Regis Francois Gignoux. At the age of 19, Inness exhibited his first canvas at the National Academy. A trip to France in the mid 1850s was extremely influential, as he became enamoured with the style of the painters of the Barbizon School. In 1860 he settled in Medfield, Massachusetts, while maintaining his New York studio. This period coincides with a more mature self-assured style and his burgeoning critical success. He remained in Massachusetts for only four years, before moving to Eagleswood, New Jersey, but the influence of the Medfield years is reflected throughout the remainder of his career. In his book Inness, Genius of American Art, Elliott Daingerfield points out that during periods of stress and difficulty Inness would often retire to the country to recuperate in the presence of nature.
Estimate $30,000-50,000

Keywords

George Inness, Massachusetts, N.B. George Inness, John R. Hall, Paris, Worcester Art Museum, Austin, London, University of Texas Press, Michael Quick, Newburgh, Newark, New York City, epilepsy, Regis Francois Gignoux, Francois Gignoux, Regis, National Academy, Medfield, Barbizon School, France, New York studio, Eagleswood, Elliott Daingerfield