William Bradford (American, 1823-1892) The Coast of Labrador

Description:

William Bradford (American, 1823-1892)

The Coast of Labrador
Unsigned, identified on a label from William Vareike Fine Arts, Newport, Rhode Islan
d.
Oil on canvas, 18 x 30 in. (45.9 x 76.3 cm),framed.
Condition: Lined, retouch, craquelure.

Provenance: Skinner, Inc., auction 2387 of American & European Paintings & Prints, November 16, 2007, lot 76.

N.B. William Bradford, one of the preeminent Marine painters of the 19th century, was born and raised near the harbor town of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Against the wishes of his strict Quaker parents, he pursued a career in painting. Initially self-taught, Bradford began to study with Dutch painter Albert Van Beest in the late 1850s, and the two artists frequently collaborated. Starting in 1861, Bradford made a series of trips to Labrador and the Arctic, where he was profoundly influenced by the bright light and vivid colors of the region. His paintings of the Arctic contain rich detail in sailing vessels and fishermen while at the same time they capture the expressiveness of the clouds, water, and ice formations. This rich scenery and atmospheric light remained a constant source of inspiration for Bradford throughout his career.

We wish to thank Richard C. Kugler for his assistance in the cataloging of this work.

Estimate $25,000-35,000

Craquelure predominately to the upper 2/3 of the composition, lined and restretched around what appears to be original panel stretcher and stretcher bars, possibly restored by Gustav D. Klimann of Boston. Minimal retouch left and lower edges and to fill craquelure.

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