11-19-200411-20-2004
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2260Boston
November 19, 2004 04:00 PMCalender
354

William Bradford (American, 1823-1892) The Returning Fishermen Off Cape St. John

Sell one like this
$70,500$60,000
Auction: American & European Works of Art - 2260Location: BostonDate / Time: November 19, 2004 4:00PM

Description:

William Bradford (American, 1823-1892)

The Returning Fishermen Off Cape St. John
Signed "Wm. Bradford" twice and inscribed "NY" l.r., titled on a presentation
plaque affixed to the frame, partial Minneapolis Industrial Exhibition label on the reverse.
Oil on canvas (mounted),16 1/2 x 24 1/2 in. (41.9 x 62.2 cm),in the original frame.
Condition: Canvas lifting from mounting, retouch, surface grime, craquelure.

Provenance: A private New England collection.

Exhibitions: First Minneapolis Industrial Exhibition, 1886, Second Minneapolis Industrial Exhibition, 1887, Third Minneapolis Industrial Exhibition, 1888.

N.B. William Bradford was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 1823, and started painting in 1852. From his studio overlooking the harbor, Bradford painted portraits of the ships that were coming into New Bedford as part of the lucrative whaling business. He continued this type of painting in Boston, where he painted much larger clipper ships. In 1854, Bradford decided to focus more on marine scenes, coastal views, and scenes of ships in distress.

In the 1860s, he embarked on several voyages to Newfoundland, Labrador, and the Arctic. While on these voyages, Bradford made hundreds of oil sketches and drawings, and took numerous photographs to use when he returned to his studio. Bradford spent considerable time in England from 1871-1874, where he worked on a painting for Queen Victoria. He enjoyed much success in England. Upon his return to the United States, Bradford started painting views of Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada, and other western sites.

We wish to thank Richard C. Kugler, Director Emeritus of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, for his assistance in cataloging this work.
Estimate $30,000-50,000

Keywords

William Bradford, Minneapolis, New England, New Bedford, N.B. William Bradford, Massachusetts, Newfoundland, oil sketches, United Kingdom, Sierra Nevada, United States, Richard C. Kugler, Director Emeritus