Back
American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists
|
- Sale 2105
Live
| Philadelphia
Dec 8 | 2:00 PM EST
Live
| Philadelphia
Sale 2105
| Philadelphia
| Philadelphia
Estimate$15,000 – $25,000
Provenance:
Private Collection, Virginia.
Literature:
The Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia, July 23, 1921 (cover illustration).
Lot Essay:
A Pennsylvania native, Sarah S. Stilwell Weber studied under Howard Pyle at the Drexel Institute in Philadelphia, before setting up her own studio in nearby Delaware. Throughout her nearly three-decade long career, she produced work for a variety of publications such as the Saturday Evening Post, Collier’s, The Country Gentleman, Harper’s Bazaar and others, in addition to numerous book illustrations. Running from Waves, published on July 23rd, 1921, is the last illustration she made for a Saturday Evening Post cover, just a few years before ending her career in 1925.
Against her mentor’s urging, Stilwell Weber married in 1908 and her daughter Jane was born in 1909. It has been argued that motherhood deepened her affinity with the theme of childhood, which pervaded her entire oeuvre. Her portrayals of children engaged in active play amidst natural settings bring forth an uplifting vision of youth, replete with utter joy, innocence, and freedom. The dynamic composition of Running from Waves, with its depiction of a gentle surf lapping against an ecstatic little girl’s feet, elicits this exact sentiment.
Unframed, with Beva 371 adhesive bonded to aluminum honeycomb-core panel. In generally otherwise good overall condition apart from localized and generally smallish areas of restoration and some vertical linear thin retouching at lower right in foreground. More pronounced areas with restoration include to left of raised foot, to right of right hand and at lower right. Some pigment separation throughout the white pigment. Additional images available upon request.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Adam Veil
VP, Head of Department, American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists
