Description:
Frank Earle Schoonover (American, 1877-1972)
Hudson's Bay Post at Gull River
Initialed "FES" at c.l. edge, identified in an inscription on the reverse and on a label from Schoonover Studios, Ltd., affixed to the back of the frame.
Oil on canvas, 18 x 31 in. (45.7 x 78.7 cm),framed.
Condition: Lined, retouch throughout sky in u.r., small paint loss to l.l. quadrant.
Provenance: Dr. and Mrs. W.A. Morton Jr., West Chester, Pennsylvania; Douglas Allen, Neshanic Station, New Jersey; a Virginia collection.
N.B. This painting originally represented the left side of an illustration for Red Book Magazine to accompany the story "The Valley of Voices" by George T. Marsh published in May 1924. The artist cut the composition in half in 1965 and reworked the left side, which is the painting being offered here. The buildings are based upon a photograph Schoonover took of a Hudson Bay Company Post in Canada.
John Schoonover, the artist's grandson, reports that the artist often altered his illustrations, including reusing canvases and painting landscapes over published illustrations. In fact, the 1924 Red Book illustration was painted over an earlier vignette done for the Country Gentleman published in 1922.
The work at hand is included in the Frank Schoonover Catalogue Raisonné as 1268 lalt (for left alternate). The original 1924 Red Book illustration is number 1268 in the catalogue raisonné.
We would like to thank John Schoonover, Schoonover Studios, Ltd., for his assistance cataloging this lot.
Estimate $6,000-8,000
Also identified on a presentation plaque.
The full inscription on the reverse reads as follows: "#68 Hudson's Bay Post/at Gull River/by Frank E. Schoonover/Painted 1963 at age 85/Property of Dr. and Mrs./WA Morton Jr., West Chester/Pa." According to the day book notation on the Schoonover web site, the work was actually done in 1965.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Keywords
hudson bay company, Hudson's Bay, Schoonover Studios Ltd., W.A. Morton Jr., John Schoonover, Frank Earle Schoonover, Hudson, George T. Marsh, West ChesterRobin S.R. Starr
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