Jean Leon Gerome Ferris was an American painter best known for his series of 78 scenes from American history, entitled The Pageant of a Nation, the largest series of American historical paintings by a single artist. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 18, 1863, as the son of Stephen James Ferris, a portrait painter who was a devotee of Jean-Léon Gérôme (after whom he was named) and also an admirer of Mariano Fortuny. He grew up around art, having been trained by his father and having two acclaimed painters, Edward Moran and Thomas Moran, as uncles. Ferris enrolled in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1879 and trained further at the Académie Julian beginning in 1883 under William-Adolphe Bouguereau. He also met his namesake Jean-Léon Gérôme, who greatly influenced Ferris's decision to paint scenes from American history. As Ferris wrote in his unpublished autobiography, “Gérôme's axiom was that one would paint best that with which he is most familiar." His early subjects were Orientalist in nature, that movement having been in vogue when he was young. Some of his material was original, some of it took after Fortuny, but he was skilled enough, despite never having had any experience with art. In 1882, he exhibited a painting entitled Feeding the Ibis, which was valued at $600. By 1895, Ferris had gained a reputation as a historical painter and he embarked on his dream of creating a series of paintings that told a historical narrative. In 1898, he sold one of these, General Howe's Levee, 1777, but he later regretted it, realizing that such a series could not be complete if the separate paintings could not be kept together. Ferris, who had married Annette Amelia Ryder in 1894 and with whom he had a daughter named Elizabeth Mary, died in Philadelphia on March 18, 1930.
$1,200Sale Price|35% Off
“A Page of Love”
By Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
Located in Southampton, NY
Here is a wonderful original watercolor and gouache depicting a scene from Emile Zola book “A Page of Love” by the American artist, Jean Leon Gerome Ferris....
Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper
19th century etching black and white figurative print female subject signed
By Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"The Spinner" is an original etching by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris. It depicts a woman in an interior next to a spinning wheel. The artist signed the piece lo...
Etching
$1,250
H 9.5 in W 11 in
Courtship, British Couple walking in a landscape in Edwardian dress
By John Strickland Goodall
Located in Woodbury, CT
John Strickland Goodall John Strickland Goodall was born in Heacham, Norfolk on 7 June 1908. He was the son of a famous heart specialist whose boasted seven generations of medics, a...
Paper, Gouache
$1,708
H 6.5 in W 10 in D 1 in
John Cantiloe Joy, 19th Century seascape, maritime interest
Located in Harkstead, GB
A wonderful example of the rare and intricate work of John Cantiloe Joy (1806-1866) Shipping off the Norfolk coast with figures on the shore Watercolour over traces of pencil 6½ x 1...
Paper, Watercolor
$6,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 18 in
1910's Art Deco Erte Gouache Painting Original Hand Signed Rare French Costume
By Erté
Located in Buffalo, NY
A rare original signed Art Deco gouache on paper by Erte (Romain de Tirtoff) . This stunning theatrical costume design is signed Erte at the lower right. The piece is 20 by 18 fram...
Gouache, Archival Paper, Pencil
$1,900Sale Price|20% Off
H 18.25 in W 23.5 in D 0.88 in
"King of the Friendly Islands" (Tonga); Engraving from Captain Cook's 3rd Voyage
By John Webber
Located in Alamo, CA
"Poulaho, King of the Friendly Islands, Drinking Kava" is an engraving created by William Sharp (1749-1824), from a drawing by John Webber (1752-1793), who was the artist on Captain James Cook's 3rd and final voyage of discovery. It was published in the atlas of "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere", the official British Admirality sanctioned journal published upon completion of the voyage in London in 1784 by Strahan & Cadell. Captain Cook visited Tonga on his 3rd voyage, which he named The Friendly Islands because of the warm welcome he and his crew received, unlike some of the other more hostile Pacific islands. The engraving depicts Cook and his men observed a kava ceremony at the village of Mu’a on Tongatapu. King Paulaho sits in the centre foreground, his back to the spectator with a man kneeling before him. The ceremonial mat depicted behind Paulaho indicates that nobody was allowed to sit behind him. The figure in the centre holds a single cup, referring to the Tongan custom of offering the cup to the king first. Kava is native to the islands of the South Pacific and was first described for English readers in 1768 by Captain James Cook. The kava root has been used for centuries as a central feature of ceremonies and celebrations because it was able to bring about a calming and pleasant social atmosphere. The root was crushed and processed into coconut milk to become the focal ceremonial beverage, simply referred to as kava. This engraving is presented in a Koa wood frame and a white mat. Koa wood is legendary in Hawaii. There are occasional faint spots, but the print is otherwise in very good condition. This amazing Koa wood is native to Hawaii and it is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain pattern. Koa has an honored heritage in Hawaii and is highly revered and sacred. The word “koa” means “warrior” in Hawaiian. The warriors of King Kamehameha the Great, created canoes and weapons from a wood plentiful on the Big Island of Hawaii. This wood became synonymous with the warriors themselves, and it became known as koa. There are three other engravings listed from the official journal of Captain Cook's 3rd voyage available that are presented in identical Koa wood frames and mats (LU117324682422, LU117324684052, LU117324684032). They would make a wonderful grouping for a display of 2, 3 or 4 prints. A discount is available for a grouping depending on the number of items included. Captain Cook is remembered as one of the greatest explorers and navigators in history. His explorations included Australia, New Zealand and islands of the South Pacific and the northwest coast of North America. Hawaii was discovered by Captain Cook during this voyage. Hawaii was originally called The Sandwich Islands in honor of The Earl of Sandwich...
Engraving
$478
H 6.75 in W 9.75 in D 1 in
Alfred W Cooper, Young girl by a bridge, Victorian watercolor
Located in Harkstead, GB
Alfred W Cooper, 19th Century Waiting by the weir Signed with initials Watercolour with touches of gouache 6¾ x 9¾ inches 12 x 16 inches with the frame A delightful Victorian scene...
Paper, Watercolor
Theater Sketch 2
By Alexander Oscar Levy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Alexander O. Levy was a painter, illustrator, printmaker and designer who was born in 1881 in Bonn, Germany. He died in 1946 in Buffalo, New York. At age three, he was brought to ...
Archival Paper, Charcoal, Gouache
$4,700Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.88 in W 37.25 in D 1.25 in
The Roman Colosseum: A Framed 18th Century Etching of the Interior by Piranesi
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi entitled "Veduta dell'interno dell'Anfiteatro Flavio detto il Colosseo" (View of the interior of the Flavian Amph...
Etching
$3,020Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 32 in D 1.5 in
Church of St. Costanza, Rome: An 18th Century Piranesi Architectural Etching
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This is a framed 18th century Giovanni Battista Piranesi etching entitled: "Veduta interna del Sepocro di Santa Costanza, fabbricat...
Etching
$3,180Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.25 in W 26.5 in D 1.5 in
A Framed 18th C. Piranesi Etching of an Ancient Marble Vase from Hadrian's Villa
By Giovanni Battista Piranesi
Located in Alamo, CA
This large framed 18th century etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi is entitled "Vaso antico di Marmo adornato di eccellenti Sculture si nella parte anteriere che nell' opposta, le ...
Etching
Stage Sketch1
By Alexander Oscar Levy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Alexander O. Levy was a painter, illustrator, printmaker and designer who was born in 1881 in Bonn, Germany. He died in 1946 in Buffalo, New York. At age three, he was brought to ...
Archival Paper, Charcoal, Gouache
$550
H 21.75 in W 16.75 in D 1.25 in
Kabuki actor Nakamura Shikan II by Utagawa Kunisada Edo Japanese Woodblock Print
By Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Located in Soquel, CA
Kabuki actor Nakamura Shikan II by Utagawa Kunisada Japanese Woodblock Print Wonderful portrait of Nakamura Shikan II, a prominent kabuki actor, in the role of Kisen Hoshi Toyokuni ...
Printer's Ink, Rice Paper, Woodcut
$895
H 7 in W 11 in
Early 20th century German or Austrian children playing a piano and flute
Located in Woodbury, CT
Karl Feiertag (c.1874-1944) was an Austrian painter. He studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna with Franz Rumpler, Kasimir Pochwalski, and Josef Mathias Trenkwald. He wo...
Paper, Watercolor