Fitz Henry Lane (1804 – 1865)
Oil on canvas, “Boston Harbor with Ships Becalmed”, American, circa 1850. This broad view of Boston Harbor has all of the luminous qualities, one looks for, in a Fitz Henry Lane. From the horizon (left to right) one can view on shore buildings and other vessels. In the left foreground is a highly detailed brig coming towards the viewer at an angle with figures on board. The sails are in various stages of being raised or lowered. Given Lane’s father was a sail maker, it is no surprise that the sails are painted with meticulous detail. The sides of the hull are painted with a light band of color above the water line and the red anchor is being raised. To the left of the brig is a rowboat pulling up to the vessel with a standing sailor with a red shirt with a boat hook reaching towards another sailor on board the vessel with a red hat who is offering his assistance. Lane carefully painted the rigging in such a manner that each line that should have tension appears tight and all remaining appear loose as would have been appropriate to the wind conditions. To the far right is a heavily loaded lumber schooner with a standing figure with a red shirt on top of the planks. This schooner is under shortened sail. To the right of center near the horizon is a full rigged ship with all sails furled. The sky has warm orange and pink which becomes lighter and lighter until the sky becomes blue with a grid of color. This brilliant sky is reflecting in the water which is darkest at the foreground and lightens as it goes towards the shore. The waves are painted in gentle bands of rippling waves with highlights at the crest. Towards the middle of the water, there are burst of light reflecting from the sun. From the center of the sea to the horizon has various shades of brilliant color and the shadows around the vessel are highly realistic. American luminous paintings from 1830’s to 1855 ideally should portray a calm and peaceful moment in time. (PA1080)
Provenance: Collection of George Lewis
Condition of Painting: Painting retains original stretcher and has been lined. There are only a few minor scattered dots of in-paint with minor scattered frame abrasion. In the upper left sky are a few areas of old in-paint in which pigment has turned a whitish gray.
Condition of Frame: Each of the corners have a beautiful carved leaf and flower decoration as well as the circumference at top edge. The cove of the frame has a “leopard-skin” style decorative pattern. There is a plain ¾ inch reveal liner. There are a few minor scattered losses to the moldings. This period frame has a wonderful gold-leaf surface with warm rich patina.
Dimensions of Painting: Height 25 inches; Width 30 ¼ inches.
Dimensions of Frame: Height 34 ½ inches; Width 39 ½ inches.
Note: There are three labels on reverse stating: Museum of Fine Arts, Lewis Collection.
Also, in the upper left is a handwritten remnant of an old jelly label: …Bradford, 220 Beacon St.
Reference: Wilmerding, John, “Paintings by Fitz Henry Lane”, published by the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., 1988. Similar luminous Boston Harbor paintings appear in this catalog – Pages: 24, 25, 54, 55, 56.
Lane Auction Records:
4/19/2023 Sotheby’s 20x30 “Bar Island and Mount Desert” ($ 1,000,000 - $ 1,500,000).
Sold: $6,079,5000.
8/24/2016 James Julia 20x30 “New Bedford Harbor” Sold: $ 296,250.
11/19/2004 Bonham’s/Skinner 24x36 “Manchester Harbor” Sold: $ 5,506,000.
5/25/2000 Christy’s 24x36 “The Golden Rule” Sold: $ 3,966,000.
03/20/2013 Bonham’s/Skinner 13x22 “View of Camden Harbor from the Graves” Sold: $ 1,384,000.
Lane Auction Records (continued)
05/09/1997 Bonham’s/Skinner 30x48 “View of west Beach Beverly” Sold: $ 3,200,000
Price: $ 3,200,000.
