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William Bodfish
William Bodfish Oil Painting Titled "The Sister's Visit", Dated 1888

1888

About the Item

Two figures in 19th century dress sit at a table in a cafe. Provenance: Private Collection, New Jersey Originally based in New York City, William Bodfish was a talented artist who gained recognition for his illustrations and cartoons in the late nineteenth century. A painter of genre scenes, he also created detailed illustrations of hunting, whaling and fishing adventures for such magazines as Harper's Weekly. In the years following the Civil War, he traveled to the American West, joining the legion of journalists and illustrators who recorded the development of the new frontier. He was considered by historians to be one of the most “able cartoonists” to tackle the West. During his lifetime, Bodfish exhibited work at the National Academy of Design and the Art Institute of Chicago. Likely created after the artist’s departure from New York, The Sister’s Visit records a quiet moment between two siblings. Seated before a lovely spread of luncheon items, including a bowl of oranges, glass oil-and-vinegar cruets, and a wine bottle, the two well-dressed figures are arranged spatially in a manner that endows the painting with an intimate yet intriguing atmosphere. Nervously fussing with her sleeve and sitting rigidly upright, the sister carries an ambiguous facial expression. With his back to the viewer, the brother leans forward on his elbows as if engaged in serious discussion. The partial view of his face and handlebar mustache heightens the curiousness of the interaction between the two. Rendered in warm hues, the darkened interior has a cozy air that contrasts with the barren chill of the wintry scene visible through the window. The artist’s technical skill is evident not only in the execution of the figures but also in the exquisite tactile surfaces of the furniture and the illumination of the table cover. Leaving much to the imagination, the narrative of The Sister’s Visit combines with the painting’s wonderful formal qualities to create an interesting and enduring image.
  • Creator:
    William Bodfish (1865 - 1894, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1888
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)Width: 7 in (17.78 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2157211068432

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