Scene in Dieppe (Scene in Brittany)
22.9 cms x 30.5 cms (9 ins x 12 ins)
Signed and inscribed "à mon ami howe" and on verso titled as scene in brittany on various labels and dated circa 1896 - 1898 on various gallery labels
made in 1896
Lot offered for sale by Heffel, Vancouver at the auction event "May Live Auction 2016, Vancouver Live auction" held on Wed, May 25, 2016.
Lot 116
Lot 116
Estimate: CAD $30,000 - $50,000
Realised: CAD $59,000
Realised: CAD $59,000
Lot description - from the online catalogue*
Provenance:
A gift from the Artist to William Henry Howe, New York
Berry-Hill Galleries Inc., New York
Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago, 1993
Exhibitions:
Musée d'Art Américain, Giverny, Lasting Impressions: American Painters in France, 1865 - 1915, April 1 - October 30, 1994 and April 1 - October 31, 1995, exhibited as Scene in Brittany, catalogue #107
Musée d'Art Américain, Giverny, Visions of France, April 1 - October 31, 1997, exhibited as Scene in Brittany
Musée d'Art Américain, Giverny, The City and the Country: American Perspectives, 1870 - 1920, April 1 - July 15, 1999, exhibited as Scene in Brittany
Musée d'Art Américain, Giverny, Waves and Waterways: American Perspectives, 1850 - 1900, April 1 - October 31, 2000, exhibited as Scene in Brittany
Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, American Classics from the Collection, May 14 - June 15, 2003, exhibited as Scene in Brittany
Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Studies Abroad: Painted Impressions from the Collection, September 6, 2003 - April 4, 2004, exhibited as Scene in Brittany
Musée d'Art Américain, Giverny, Passing through Paris: American Artists in France, 1860 -
Notes:
This delightful work by James Wilson Morrice was exhibited as Scene in Brittany for many years, but actually depicts a scene in Dieppe, France, looking across the harbour towards the square tower of the Gothic-style Church of Saint-Jacques. Morrice's work is prized for its beauty of light and colour, and this work is painted using a softly muted palette of pinks, greens, greys and reds that unifies and harmonizes the scene. Boats, people, buildings and water are all cast in a softening white light that infuses the scene with a feeling of delicacy and airiness. Morrice's scenes of people at leisure - whether sitting outside in cafés, or, as we see here, strolling along the quay and contemplating this picturesque harbour scene, are particularly sought after. The surface of the deck they are on is as fluid and reflective in its brushwork as the water below them, giving an exquisite sense of atmosphere to the scene. William Henry Howe, the first owner of this fine work, was an American painter who worked in Paris. Morrice's inscription to his friend "Howe" on the front of this work adds a note of particular warmth to this appealing scene.
The Terra Foundation for American Art - based in Chicago and the consignor of this work - is dedicated to the belief that cultures can be both united and distinguished through the exploration of their art. Terra seeks to foster understanding of the visual arts of the United States by exhibiting and studying their own art collection, as well as supporting education, research, exhibitions and collaborative projects with others.
Proceeds from the sale of this work will benefit the Acquisitions Fund of the Terra Foundation for American Art.
This painting is included in the catalogue raisonné on the artist's work that is being compiled by Lucie Dorais.
A gift from the Artist to William Henry Howe, New York
Berry-Hill Galleries Inc., New York
Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago, 1993
Exhibitions:
Musée d'Art Américain, Giverny, Lasting Impressions: American Painters in France, 1865 - 1915, April 1 - October 30, 1994 and April 1 - October 31, 1995, exhibited as Scene in Brittany, catalogue #107
Musée d'Art Américain, Giverny, Visions of France, April 1 - October 31, 1997, exhibited as Scene in Brittany
Musée d'Art Américain, Giverny, The City and the Country: American Perspectives, 1870 - 1920, April 1 - July 15, 1999, exhibited as Scene in Brittany
Musée d'Art Américain, Giverny, Waves and Waterways: American Perspectives, 1850 - 1900, April 1 - October 31, 2000, exhibited as Scene in Brittany
Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, American Classics from the Collection, May 14 - June 15, 2003, exhibited as Scene in Brittany
Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, Studies Abroad: Painted Impressions from the Collection, September 6, 2003 - April 4, 2004, exhibited as Scene in Brittany
Musée d'Art Américain, Giverny, Passing through Paris: American Artists in France, 1860 -
Notes:
This delightful work by James Wilson Morrice was exhibited as Scene in Brittany for many years, but actually depicts a scene in Dieppe, France, looking across the harbour towards the square tower of the Gothic-style Church of Saint-Jacques. Morrice's work is prized for its beauty of light and colour, and this work is painted using a softly muted palette of pinks, greens, greys and reds that unifies and harmonizes the scene. Boats, people, buildings and water are all cast in a softening white light that infuses the scene with a feeling of delicacy and airiness. Morrice's scenes of people at leisure - whether sitting outside in cafés, or, as we see here, strolling along the quay and contemplating this picturesque harbour scene, are particularly sought after. The surface of the deck they are on is as fluid and reflective in its brushwork as the water below them, giving an exquisite sense of atmosphere to the scene. William Henry Howe, the first owner of this fine work, was an American painter who worked in Paris. Morrice's inscription to his friend "Howe" on the front of this work adds a note of particular warmth to this appealing scene.
The Terra Foundation for American Art - based in Chicago and the consignor of this work - is dedicated to the belief that cultures can be both united and distinguished through the exploration of their art. Terra seeks to foster understanding of the visual arts of the United States by exhibiting and studying their own art collection, as well as supporting education, research, exhibitions and collaborative projects with others.
Proceeds from the sale of this work will benefit the Acquisitions Fund of the Terra Foundation for American Art.
This painting is included in the catalogue raisonné on the artist's work that is being compiled by Lucie Dorais.
Most realised prices include the Buyer's Premium of 18-25%, but not the HST/GST Tax.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Heffel auction house for permission to use.
(*) Text and/or Image might be subject matter of Copyright. Check with Heffel auction house for permission to use.