Antique Prints, Maps, & Books of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 5550:
Description
This is an early, original watercolor by George Catlin. It depicts a brewery fire in Buffalo, New York drawn on October 9, 1825. It is watercolor over graphite, heightened with white, on grey wove paper.
The image is inscribed in pencil with "A helter-schelter at Buffalo 9th Oct. 1825 / ‘Huzza boys, the Brewery!’" It is presented in matting with the painting affixed at the corners onto album leaf with later ink attribution to George Catlin present below. The brewery on the Erie Canal was set to open just days before the fire occurred on October 9, 1825. Catlin was there producing artwork on the construction and opening of the Erie Canal.
The attribution to Catlin is connected through the provenance of the painting to Captain William Henry Shippard. Shippard had the painting as part of an album he assembled. Catlin once described Shippard as "my best of friends" in his
Notes of Eight Years Travels and Residence in Europe. Shippard was an English army officer that worked on Catlin’s behalf in the 1840s in the London exhibition and sale of Catlin’s collection.
George Catlin (1796-1872) was an American lawyer, painter, author, and traveler. He originally was a lawyer but moved to Philadelphia in 1821 to become an artist. He became a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1824. He made his way early on by creating society portraits and miniatures. He travelled to Buffalo in 1825 producing original artwork on the construction and opening of the Erie Canal. During his stay in Buffalo, he would paint the Seneca Chief, Red Jacket, which led to his monumental western expedition and renowned Indian paintings.
Provenance: Captain William Henry Shippard
Paper Size: Image ~ 5 3/8" by 8 3/8"; Mat ~ 15 3/4" by 20"
Paper Type or Special Features: Original, Early Watercolor by George Catlin
Condition report:
The work is in very good condition. There may me be a few faint marks or minor imperfections to be expected with age . Please review the image and contact us with any questions.
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