HUDSON RIVER SCHOOL KAATERSKILL CLOVE LANDSCAPE: Oil/Canvas, 16'' x 26.5'', partial ...tists 594 WASHI... artist supply label verso, no visible signature, framed, 29.75'' x 19.25'' x 1.5''. 20th century frame molding. We found an online reference to a Boston art supply company at that address in the 19th century and the lapped over canvas tabs were used in Boston but we are quite certain this is a classic view of Kaaterskill Clove likely looking down the Hudson River in upstate New York from the general location of the Frederick Church residence Olana such as has been painted by Sanford Robinson Gifford and Thomas Worthington Whittredge. We searched an online database of Christies New York auctions for oil paintings between 16 and 17 inches high and between 26 and 27 inches wide and found less than 25 and of those paintings only 2 were American landscapes of any period, both interestingly by David Johnson. We have used intense light and UV along the entire lower edge and found no signature or monogram so we do not believe it to be signed however it could use a cleaning that may well help identify an artist name. Sold as an unknown unsigned American School mystery artist of the Victorian Romantic luminist era likely of Kaaterskill Clove in upstate NY in autumn with an atmospheric sunrise or sunset over we believe the Catskill Mountains but perhaps the Adirondacks or White Mountains however the water topography we believe points to the Hudson Valley.
CONDITION: Estate discovery condition, sound with even surface dirt and even darkened varnish, fine craquelure, one small scuff with small spot of paint loss on the left foreground riverbank with a corresponding small spot verso as illustrated, paint edge wear spots under frame, frame with scattered chips throughout. Examination with UV shows inpainting at the riverbank scuff, otherwise no flat purplish black ultraviolet reactions.