William Keith

Cattle By Pond At Dusk, Mid-19th Century Tonalist Landscape by William Keith

1860

Gorgeous tonalist oil painting woman walking in field by pond with home in background by Willis Seaver Adams (American, 1844-1921), circa 1880. Trees and an amazing sky in the background add depth and interest to this beautiful piece. Signed "W. S. Adams" lower right corner. Condition: Previous restoration includes relining of canvas. Frame is vintage gilt molded and wood frame and shows previous repair of molding losses. Image size: 20"H x 24"W. Auctions records for the artist exceed $6,000. Willis Seaver Adams was known for his landscapes of the Connecticut River Valley. A relative recluse for much of his artistic life, his loneliness can be seen in much of his works. Oil miniatures were the focus for almost all of his later works. He is credited with over 425 oils, watercolors, and drawings. Willis Seaver was born in 1844 on a farm in Suffield, near the Connecticut River. He intermittently attended the Suffield Academy, and always wanted to be a painter. A wealthy doctor became his patron, and financed his studies in 1868 at the Royal Academy in Antwerp. When the doctor passed away, Adams returned home and struggled to make a living painting. After working for a photographer for three years, he opened his own studio. Adams helped organize Cleveland's first watercolor exhibit in 1876. Soon thereafter, he completed a portrait of Rutherford B. Hayes, then governor of Ohio, prior to his becoming President of the United States. This portrait enhanced Adams notoriety. In 1878, Adams traveled to Italy where he opened a studio in Venice, and became friendly with neighbor James Whistler. Prior to returning to Springfield, Adams lived in Florence, Italy for three years. He returned to became an instructor for the Springfield Art Association, and began to exhibit his works at the galleries of James D. Gill. His first one-man exhibit was held there in 1894. Other successful exhibitions took place in Chicago, New York, and Boston. Although his works garnered respectable prices and reflected his success, Adams felt he was due more recognition. In 1906, he moved to Greenfield, Massachusetts and converted a barn into a studio. There, he fell into relative obscurity, accompanied mainly by his dog, Collie. In 1921, Adams passed away. Examples of Willis Adams works can be seen at the Kent Memorial Library, the Wadsworth Atheneum, and the Suffield Academy. Several Suffield residents are thought to own Adams paintings.

Gorgeous late 19th Century landscape of cows near watering hole with birch trees and puffy clouds in background by Wesley John Straight (American, 1855 - 1922). Signed lower left corner and on verso. Title "Autumn in New England" on verso lower stretcher bar. Condition: Good; professionally cleaned and restored; minor abrasions repaired and in-painted (see images). Unframed. Image size: 40"H x 32"W. Born in Wisconsin on May 20, 1855. Straight appears to have migrated to northern California in the late 1870s. While a resident of San Jose and Grass Valley, he painted scenes of the northern coast and other scenic spots. After moving to southern California in 1912, he lived at the Southern Hotel in San Bernardino until his demise on April 5, 1922. Exhibitions: Delavan Wisconsin County Fair 1874 (painting of the Wisconsin State School for the deaf and countryside), Calif. State Fair, 1880-90, Placer California 1880...

Jim’s of Lambertville is proud to offer this artwork. Signed and Dated Lower Left John Francis Murphy (1853 - 1921) John Francis Murphy is increasingly recognized today as one o...

A superb example of a Barbizon inspired landscape painted by the "Catford Corot" from the late 19th Century. This very striking image shows the artist at the absolute peak of his abi...