John La Farge (American, 1835-1910) A Bacchante (Study for Stained Glass)

Description:

John La Farge (American, 1835-1910)

A Bacchante (Study for Stained Glass)
Initialed and dated "J l F 1901" l.l., identified on labels from Vance Jordan Fine
Art, Inc., New York, and The Jordan-Volpe Gallery, Inc., New York, affixed to the reverse.
Watercolor and gouache on paper, sight size 9 3/4 x 9 in. (24.8 x 22.9 cm),framed.
Condition: Toning, extremely minor abrasions and rubs, not examined out of frame.
Provenance: Doll & Richards, Boston, 1902, purchased by Mrs. John Munro (Mary Beecher) Longyear, Boston. At Gabriel's Auctioneers/Appraisers, Canton, MA, January 22, 1994 then to Peter J. Clarke Fine Arts, Newburyport, MA, 1994, then to Grete Meilman Fine Art Ltd., New York.
Exhibition: Exhibition and Private Sale of Water Color Paintings by Mr. John La Farge, Mr. Childe Hassam, Miss Lucy S. Conant,
Doll & Richards, Nov. 1902, no. 14.
N.B. John LaFarge was a "Renaissance Man" and leading American artist of the Aesthetic movement. He also worked as an author, painter, printmaker, illustrator, muralist, and stained glass window designer. However, it is through the media of stained glass that his ability as a colorist is revealed. He created rich colors in his window designs by superimposing sheets of glass. La Farge also invented opalescent glass. His work includes the Battle Window at Harvard University and the cloisonne Peacock Window at the Worcester Art Museum.
The window matching this design has not been located, although it was mostly likely intended for a private residence. The figure references a dancing maenad from a relief at the Museo Conservatori, Rome, which is a copy of a 5th century Hellenistic work.
Estimate $40,000-60,000

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