Joseph Rusling Meeker

LOT 256 JOSEPH RUSLING MEEKER 1827 - 1889 MANSFIELD MOUNTAIN FROM KEELER'S BAY, GRAND ISLE signed JR Meeker and dated '73, l.r.; signed with monogrammed initials JRM, dated 1873 and inscribed Mansfield Mt. Green Mts./ from Keeler's Bay/ Grand Isle on the reverse oil on canvas 14 by 24 in. 35.5 by 61 cm.

July 16-17, 2011 Lot 0297 Joseph Rushing Meeker (Missouri, 1827-1889) "Evangeline-Bayou Teche", signed lower left "J.R. Meeker - 1884" and titled on inscribed label verso, oil on canvas, 14 x 20 in.; original fine 19th century gilt wood and composition frame, retains original tacking edges, lined with wax and linen, scattered points of retouch primarily at right and at repair left of center, crackle, cupping (stabilized); frame with minor loss to composition, minor repairs Commissioned from the artist by Charles Shaler Smith, St. Louis, Missouri; by descent to consignor; Private Collection, Georgia Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000 Reserve: $9,000 Lot Notes: Charles Shaler Smith was an important bridge engineer working in St. Louis, Missouri. Like many Americans, he was taken by the romantic depiction of the journey of an Acadian exile in search of her love as put forth in the poem [Evangeline] by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Inspired by the story or even the bayous and rivers he spanned with his bridges, he commissioned this painting from Joseph Meeker. It was the Acadian exiles that became the Cajun culture of Louisiana. On the banks of the Teche are the towns of St. Maur and St. Martin There the long-wandering bride shall be given again to her bridegroom, There the long-absent pastor regain his flock and his sheepfold. Beautiful is the land, with its prairies and forests of fruit-trees; Under the feet a garden of flowers, and the bluest of heavens Bending above, and resting its dome on the walls of the forest. They who dwell there have named it the Eden of Louisiana. And with these words of cheer they arose and continued their journey. Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon Like a magician extended his golden wand o'er the landscape; Twinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together. Ranging between two skies, a cloud with edges of silver, Floated the boat, with its dripping oars, on the motionless water. Filled was Evangeline's heart with inexpressible sweetness. Touched by the magic spell, the sacred fountains of feeling Glowing with the light of love, as the skies and waters around her. Excerpt from [Evangeline] by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Joseph Rusling Meeker (1827-1889) Lake Mendota, Wisconsin signed and dated 'JR Meeker/1870' (lower right)--signed and datedagain and inscribed with title (on the reverse) oil on canvas 12 x 20 in. (30.5 x 50.8 cm.) Pre-Lot Text PROPERTY FROM A NEW YORK ESTATE Provenance Walter Mitchel Smith, Stamford, Connecticut and York, Maine,circa 1870s. By descent. Spanierman Gallery, LLC, New York. Time Warner, Inc., New York. Sotheby's, New York, 23 April 1998, lot 3. Private collection, New York, acquired from the above. By descent to the present owner.

Lot 36 Joseph Rusling Meeker (American, 1827-1889) Winter Scene. Signed and dated on reverse "J. R. Meeker/Nov. 20, 1849." Oil on canvas, 18 x 24 in., in a gilt-gesso frame. Condition: Some scattered inpainting, minor losses around edges. Estimate $1,000-1,500 Minor scattered spots of retouch to craquelure lines on house, a few spots upper background sky, and foreground ice. It is stained yellow from tobacco so it could use a good cleaning.

JOSEPH RUSLING MEEKER Liebenstein and Sternenfels on the Rhine. Oil on canvas, 1854. 655x890 mm; 25 3/4x35 inches. Signed, titled and dated in oil, verso. Known for his water landscapes, Meeker was born at Newark, New Jersey, in 1827. During the Civil War he served as paymaster on a Union gun boat, patrolling the Mississippi Delta. Estimate $6,000-9,000