Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 12

Sanford Robinson Gifford
A Rare Portrait Of Mrs. Sanford Robinson Gifford (Mary Cecelia Gifford), 1878

1878

About the Item

Sanford Robinson Gifford (American 1823-1880) A Rare Portrait Of Mrs. Sanford Robinson Gifford (Mary Cecelia Gifford) "The Artist's Wife" Oil on Paper mounted on canvas, painted in 1878, 2 years before his death. In original giltwood frame. Painting: 8 1/4" high by 7 1/4" wide Frame: 15" high x 13.5" wide Provenance: Private Collection (acquired by descent directly from the artist in 1878) Alexander Gallery, New York (acquired from the above) Acquired from the above in 1986 by the present owner The Art Institute of Chicago (Reference Number 1986.184) New York, Private Collection Literature: Ila Weiss, The Poetic Landscape: The Art and Experience of Sanford R. Gifford, Newark, 1987, no. 10, p. 309, illustrated The Art Institute of Chicago, letter from Milo Naeve to Mr. and Mrs. William Y. Hutchinson, as referenced in the curatorial object file Exhibited: New York, Alexander Gallery, Sanford Robinson Gifford, 1986, no. 42, illustrated Sanford Robinson Gifford was an American landscape painter who lived from 1823 to 1880. He was associated with the Hudson River School, a group of American artists known for their romantic and detailed portrayals of the American landscape. Gifford's paintings often depicted scenes of nature, including mountains, rivers, and forests, and he was particularly known for his atmospheric and luminous depictions of light and color. Gifford was born on July 10, 1823, in Greenfield, New York. He displayed artistic talent from a young age and began his formal artistic training at Brown University, where he studied under the American painter Henry Cheever Pratt. Gifford later studied in New York City under the renowned landscape painter John Rubens Smith. In the 1850s, Gifford traveled extensively throughout Europe, studying the works of European landscape painters and gaining inspiration for his own artistic style. He spent time in Italy, where he was influenced by the luminist painters, who emphasized the effects of light and atmosphere in their works. After returning to the United States, Gifford became one of the leading figures of the Hudson River School. He exhibited his paintings at the National Academy of Design and became a member of the Century Association, an organization of prominent New York City artists and intellectuals. Gifford's paintings often featured dramatic landscapes, with a focus on capturing the grandeur and natural beauty of the American wilderness. He had a particular affinity for coastal scenes, and many of his works depicted the rugged shores of New England or the tranquil marshes of Long Island. Gifford's paintings were characterized by their meticulous attention to detail and their careful observation of light and atmospheric effects. He often employed a warm and radiant palette, capturing the play of light and shadow on the landscape. His works conveyed a sense of tranquility and reverence for nature, reflecting the ideals of the Hudson River School. Sadly, Sanford Robinson Gifford's career was cut short when he died unexpectedly on August 29, 1880, at the age of 57. However, his contributions to American landscape painting continue to be recognized and appreciated today. His works can be found in numerous museums and art collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
  • Creator:
    Sanford Robinson Gifford (1823-1880, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1878
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 13.5 in (34.29 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1151212615882

More From This Seller

View All
Emanuel Oberhauser (Austrian, 1854 - 1919) Full Length "Orientalist Queen" Oil
By Emanuel Oberhauser
Located in New York, NY
Emanuel Oberhauser (Austrian, 1854 - 1919) An Exceptional quality full length oil on canvas painting of a Young Orientalist Queen / Odalisque. 19th ...
Category

19th Century Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Lilly Martin Spencer (American, 1822-1902) God Bless My Father Portrait Painting
By Lilly Martin Spencer
Located in New York, NY
Lilly Martin Spencer (American, 1822-1902) A Rare Portrait God Bless My Father. **Figure 84 from principal book/catalogue on Lilly Martin Spencer. 19th Century. Oil on canvas, signed Lilly Martin Spencer was one of the most popular and American female genre painters in the mid-nineteenth century. She primarily painted domestic scenes, paintings of women and children...
Category

19th Century Academic Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Emanuel Oberhauser “Mermaids and Nymphs” An Exceptional Oil on Canvas Painting
By Emanuel Oberhauser
Located in New York, NY
Emanuel Oberhauser (Austrian 1854 - 1919) “Mermaids, Neptune and Sea Water Nymphs” An Exceptional Oil on Canvas Painting painted circa 1885. Mas...
Category

19th Century Rococo Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Lilly Martin Spencer (American, 1822-1902) A Portrait of a Mother and Child
By Lilly Martin Spencer
Located in New York, NY
Lilly Martin Spencer (American, 1822-1902) A Portrait of a Mother and Child 19th Century. Oil on canvas, signed Lilly Martin Spencer was one of the most popular and American female genre painters in the mid-nineteenth century. She primarily painted domestic scenes, paintings of women and children...
Category

19th Century Romantic Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

A Magnificent Pair of French Royal Paintings "Aurora and Diana" "Night and Day"
Located in New York, NY
Jacques-Francois Delyen (1684-1761), Court Painter of King Louis XV. A Magnificent Pair of Palatial "French Royal" Allegorical Paintings "Aurora and Diana" "Night and Day" A truly ...
Category

18th Century Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil

Circle of Jean Honore Fragonard (1732–1806) A Painting of Three Putti and Fire
By Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Located in New York, NY
Circle of Jean Honore Fragonard (French 1732–1806) An Exceptional Painting of Three Putti and Fire, circa 1795. Masterfully painted in the late ...
Category

18th Century Rococo Portrait Paintings

Materials

Cotton Canvas, Oil

You May Also Like

Italian 18th Century Oval Religious Oil on Canvas Painting with Saint Dominic
By Francesco de Mura
Located in Firenze, IT
This beautiful Italian 18th Century old masters oil painting on oval canvas with giltwood frame is attributed to Solimena and features a religious scene. In this splendid oval-shaped painting are depicted Saint Dominic...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Oil on Canvas Painting Portrait of the Italian Noble Family of Zanardi Count
By Lucia Casalini Torelli
Located in Firenze, IT
This museum quality old master oil on canvas formal portrait painting depicting the family of the Count Zanardi is signed by the artist- the female painter Lucia Casalini Torelli- and published in a book dedicated to Casalini Torelli’s workshop and academy. This palatial masterpiece artwork comes directly from the ancient Villa Maraini Guerrieri - Palidano di Gonzaga (Mantua), an historic Italian heritage building owned by the descendants of the family portrayed for more than two centuries, until 1998. The big scale of this oil on canvas masterpiece painting states the relevance of Lucia Casalini Torelli as a painter. The present artwork is a formal family portrait painting that aim to introduce the characters depicted according to their social role in the society. The noble family is all gathered under a loggia overlooking a park, the landscape in the background is partially covered by a beautiful red cloth on the right side. The father stands up and holds the hand of his eldest son, proudly introducing his future heir. The son wears a light-blue dress and red boots, he is depicted in a serious pose holding a black tricorn hat under his arm and a rapier sword on his belt. The mother wears an elegant gold and dark green brocade dress, she is sitting with her youngest daughter on her knees while her second son is by her side. The little daughter wears a lovely long red and dress with white lace and holds an apple on her hand. The son stands next to his mother and is dressed in a brown priestly clothes. This palatial old masters piece was probably painted in 1740 due to the similarities with Cardinal Doria’ s portrait, now on display at the Doria Palace Museum, the official residence of the Prince of Genoa. The painting features original canvas (“prima tela”) and antique original patina, it is in excellent overall condition considering the age, use and its large scale. A formal detailed condition report and the results of the inspection with the UV lamp accompanied by photos is available on request. As well as for its exceptional quality and quite perfect state of conservation, this painting is particularly important and even more valuable both for the artist who painted it and for its absolutely exclusive provenance. Lucia painted the most prominent and powerful noble families of her time, the location of these paintings is unknown to the art market as it is extremely likely that the portraits are still kept in private collections. Furthermore, Lucia was one of the most appreciated artists of her time, so important that she was admitted as a member of the academy at a time when women were forbidden to attend these studies. In 1706, Felice Torelli...
Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Cleopatra Queen of Egypt 17' century Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing painting of Cleopatra oil on canvas with a gilt wood frame. Attributed to Giuseppe Diamantini (Fossombrone 1621-Venice 1705) The dramatic subje...
Category

Late 17th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Cleopatra Queen of Egypt 17' century Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing painting of Cleopatra oil on canvas with a gilt wood frame. Attributed to Giuseppe Diamantini (Fossombrone 1621-Venice 1705) The dramatic subje...
Category

Late 17th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Cleopatra Queen of Egypt 17' century Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing painting of Cleopatra oil on canvas with a gilt wood frame. Attributed to Giuseppe Diamantini (Fossombrone 1621-Venice 1705) The dramat...
Category

Late 17th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Cleopatra Queen of Egypt 17' century Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing painting of Cleopatra oil on canvas with a gilt wood frame. Attributed to Giuseppe Diamantini (Fossombrone 1621-Venice 1705) The dramatic subje...
Category

Late 17th Century Academic Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Recently Viewed

View All