Description: Oil on canvas laid on thick paper board, 13 1/2" by 9 5/8" as framed, apparently unsigned", the subject the typical signature pepper tree leaves and the distinctive red "berry" seed pods characteristic of that tree. The artist, Ellen Burpee Farr (1840-1907) is quite especially appreciated today specifically for her California paintings of pepper trees, as well as still life works of poppies, citrus, native Indian baskets, and landscapes. Originally from New England (born in New Hampshire to a distinguished family, educated in nearby Vermont), Farr was an educated and wordly woman, for her time. Her husband was injured in a Civil War battle and died in 1880 after a law career, but Ellen continued on with her life, becoming ever more independent and entrepreneurial. As she grew older she came to think about turning her natural, and formally cultivated skills in art into a source of income. Moving to Southern California in 1887, she came to recognize the potential for selling her art to the budding new winter tourist trade in Pasadena and environs. (See the fine online biography by Morseburg Gallery). Today her works are sought after at auction, some bringing to the upper five figures area. The painting exhibits small areas of disturbance/paint loss, showing as almost light blue areas; see photos particularly in the berries at right center, and an even smaller disturbance in leaves at top. The painting could be improved with a standard cleaning at which time these areas could be touched up. Frame shows wear, particularly at bottom right (perhaps an old crack taped over) and bottom left. A note affixed to the backing, as found, does not provide any relevant information. A round gold label of Mickelson's, a Washington, DC gallery, remains. Apparently the painting traveled from California to the east, at some time in its existence, before finding its way back to Los Angeles, where I acquired it. See the net for much more on this woman artist.
Price: 650 USD
Location: Santa Monica, California
End Time: 2025-01-19T05:40:24.000Z
Shipping Cost: 5 USD
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Type: Painting
Production Technique: Oil Painting
Theme: Art
Subject: Tree
Year of Production: 1840
