Alfred Thompson Bricher

Lot 25 Alfred Thompson Bricher American, 1837-1908 Picnic on the Rocks, Narragansett Signed A. T. Bricher. (lr) Oil on canvas 11 1/2 x 21 3/4 inches Provenance: Vose Galleries, Boston, purchased by present owner - circa 1979/80 Private collection, MA This lot is accompanied by a letter of authentication from Bricher authority Jeffrey R. Brown. In this dramatic composition, Alfred Bricher focuses upon the rugged shoreline, its boulders defined by brilliant sunlight, rather than the group of picnickers perched upon an outcropping at upper right. In a letter dated 10 January 2008, Jeffrey R. Brown, describes the painting's location as "a bit of rocky shoreline on the western side [of] Narragansett Bay south of the town of Narragansett toward Point Judith near the intersection of Ocean Road and Anna Olivo Court. Ever interested in picture making, however, Bricher would alter views of nature by eliminating distracting elements and choosing a point of view to emphasize a noteworthy feature.. "While the artist had been in Newport in 1864, the work inspired by his trip around Narragansett Bay during the summer of 1871 reached a new level of quality and intensity. Bricher documented this trip around Narragansett Bay in a sketchbook of pencil sketches dated between June 20th and August 5th. It is possible to date the subject painting about 1871-1872 by palette and style by comparing Bricher's treatment of spots of light reflecting on the water with a recently discovered 20 x 38 inch canvas dated 1872, Sunrise on Salisbury Beach: Tide Coming In . "Narragansett Bay coastal views have been difficult to identify. Fortunately Bricher provided an answer to the question of identification of Indian Rock, first in his 25 x 51 inch canvas with title and 1871 date inscribed on the verso [formerly Wilmerding Collection], and while sketching at Narragansett again in 1884 when he inscribed [a] sketchbook drawing of Indian Rock." A few years earlier, in 1863, William Stanley Haseltine depicted what appears to be the same location in Indian Rock, Narragansett, Rhode Island [oil on canvas, 22 3/8 x 38 5/8 inches, collection Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, acc. 1985.28], also focusing on the effect of brilliant sunlight on the rocky terrain. A copy of Dr. Brown's letter accompanies this lot. C Estimate $25,000-35,000 Frame rubbing. Glue relined. Fine craquelure. There is a Z-shaped repaired tear in the waves at the center left, measuring approximately 3 x 3 x 1/2 inch. There is a 1 x 1/2 inch area of inpaint in the water, just 1 inch above the Z-shaped tear. There is another 1 inch horizontal line of inpaint in the center sky. There are also some minor touches of inpaint scattered throughout the sky. There is a 1/2 vertical line of inpaint in the rocks at the lower right corner, below the signature. there is no further visible restoration under UV light. Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Doyle New York shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.

Alfred Thompson Bricher (1837-1908) Grand Manan signed with conjoined initials 'ATBricher' (lower left) oil on canvas 18 x 39 in. (45.7 x 99 cm.) After his first visit to Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick, Canada, in the mid-1870s, Alfred Bricher became so enamored with the picturesque surroundings that the location served as the subject for many paintings he completed over the next thirty years. He was struck by the juxtaposition of large rocky cliffs and tranquil inlets that could be seen on the island. The area "initiated a long series of paintings of this sublime natural wonder...His first sight of this rugged island must have been an overwhelming experience...The vast unassailable cliffs along the western face looking toward the Northern Head rise 350 and 400 feet into the sky and merge with the clouds." (J. Brown, E. Lee, Alfred Thompson Bricher, exhibition catalogue, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1973, p. 21)

Lot 83 ALFRED THOMPSON BRICHER (american 1837-1908) ON THE COAST, SAILBOATS ON THE HORIZON Signed 'ATBRICHER' bottom right with conjoined initials, oil on canvas 17 x 36 in. (43.2 x 66cm) provenance: Private Collection, Boston, Massachusetts. note: The authenticity of this painting has kindly been confirmed by Jeffrey R. Brown on the basis of electronically transmitted images. Estimate $40,000-60,000 Excellent original condition; not relined; no evidence of restoration under u.v. light except possibly an approx. 1 1/2 inch thin line of retouch (?) near bottom left edge in water. There are minor stretcher bar impressions below top edge of canvas (generally unobtrusive) and painting appears to be in need of cleaning. Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale.

Lot 80 ALFRED THOMPSON BRICHER (american 1837-1908) ROCKY COAST Signed 'AT Bricher' bottom left, watercolor on paper 20 7/8 x 14 1/2 in. (53 x 36.8cm) provenance: Private Collection, Florida. Estimate $3,000-5,000 Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale. Unsold

Lot Description Alfred Thompson Bricher (1837-1908) Little Boar's Head, Cohasset, Massachusetts signed with initials in monogram 'ATBricher' (lower right)--inscribed with title (on the stretcher) oil on canvas 18 x 39 in. (45.7 x 99 cm.) Painted circa 1885. Provenance [With]Gill's Art Galleries, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1896. Private collection, Massachusetts. Private collection, by descent. Sale: Eldred's, East Dennis, Massachusetts, 8-10 April 2010, lot 1319. Acquired by the present owner from the above. Exhibited Springfield, Massachusetts, Gill's Art Galleries, 1896.