catalog text
JAMES RENWICK BREVOORT
United States, 1832-1918
View over an Italian Lake, probably Lake Maggiore
Oil on canvas | Signed lower right "J.R.B."
Item # 105NWG23P
A fine tonalist painting that probably captures Lake Maggiore, Italy was executed by James Renwick Brevoort during the 1870s. It captures a tranquil view of a small village with a distinctive tower with the sprawling mountains rising into the sky behind it. Small fishing and leisure vessels line the coast while colorful towels and linens hang from balconies. It is a most pleasant scene with an intricate layering of pigments to create the scattered shadows throughout the clear blue waters of the lake. The work has been very carefully restored to a ready-to-place condition.
A larger painting by Brevoort titled on the artist label verso "Lake Maggiore" was sold at Shannon's in 2001 [April 16, 2001, lot 63, achieved $ 20,700, 16" x 23 1/2"] may depict the same village from a slightly different angle and helps attribute the scene to Lake Maggiore, though the similarity of villages and islands along and throughout Lake Como and Lake Maggiore make a definite placement uncertain.
Measurements: 10 1/8" H x 15 1/4" W [canvas]; 15 7/8" H x 21 1/8" W x 1" D [frame]
Condition Report:
Relined. Professionally cleaned, conserved and sealed in a traditional damar varnish; amateur restoration work reversed, inappropriate inpainting/overpainting carefully removed and remedied; restored tear in top of highest mountain [see images under UV for inpainting and varnish refreshing]. Light surface craquelure throughout. Original keys and stretchers. Contemporary frame. Ready to hang.